The Surrey RCMP says a number of vehicles, weapons have been seized as part of a vehicle fraud investigation

Mounties say they've seized a number of high-end vehicles, weapons, and suspected stolen identity documents in Surrey

SURREY (NEWS 1130) – Police-type body armour, a number of weapons, high-end vehicles and even suspected stolen identity documents: these are just some of the items seized by the Surrey RCMP as a result of a vehicle fraud investigation.

Mounties say officers began looking into reports that people’s identities were being stolen from around the Lower Mainland for the purposes of buying, registering, and re-selling high-end cars back in the fall of 2018.

While the investigation was being conducted, a 2018 GMC Denali SUV, 2015 Audi Q5 SUV, 2013 Chrysler 300 sedan, and a 2011 Dodge Ram pick-up truck — all believed to have been obtained “through fraudulent means” — were seized by the RCMP, at an estimated value of about $225,000.

On January 18, the RCMP says seven people were detained while officers searched a home along 135A Street near 108 Avenue.

It’s during the search that investigators say they seized the body armour, a sawed-off rifle, 2 handguns, 3 imitation handguns, ammunition, numerous edged weapons, and an assortment of suspected stolen identity documents as well as mail.

While the seven people have since been released, Mounties say the investigation is still ongoing.

“Individuals associated with identity theft and fraud will stop at nothing to get what they want including expensive vehicles,” Inspector Wendy Mehat, Community Support & Safety Officer, says.

“Victims of these crimes can experience financial loss and difficulty obtaining credit or restoring their ‘good name,'” she adds.

You’re being reminded to check your credit reports as well as bank and credit card statements from time-to-time, and report anything suspicious to your bank and to the credit bureaus.

If you have any information and have not spoken to the RCMP in relation to this investigation, you’re asked to call the Surrey detachment at 604.599.0502 or Crime Stoppers at 1.800.222.8477.