A 21-year-old man has been charged with multiple fraud-related offenses after a Land Rover stolen from Saskatoon was discovered in Ghana, West Africa. The Saskatoon Police Service's economic crime section led an investigation that spanned provinces and continents, beginning in January 2025.
Investigation Details
The case started on January 14, 2025, when police received a report of a vehicle theft and fraud exceeding $5,000 from a business on Faithfull Avenue. According to police, a man from Alberta allegedly used a fraudulent Quebec driver's license to purchase a Land Rover under a false identity. The vehicle was later traced from Saskatoon to British Columbia and then shipped overseas to Ghana.
Second Incident
On February 3, 2025, police were alerted to a similar fraud at another business on Faithfull Avenue. A man, again claiming to be from Alberta but using a Quebec driver's license, purchased a BMW X5. The business later discovered the buyer's fraudulent activity, and investigators found the driver's license had been altered.
Arrest and Charges
The suspect was arrested in Edmonton with assistance from local police and the Canada Border Services Agency. He faces charges including fraud over $5,000, theft of a motor vehicle, fraudulent impersonation, possession of an identity document belonging to another person, using a forged document, and breaching court-imposed conditions. Saskatoon police confirmed that these charges relate only to the February incident, while Edmonton police have laid charges for the January theft.
This case highlights the growing issue of vehicle theft and fraud, with criminals using sophisticated methods to steal and export high-value vehicles. The Land Rover was recovered in Ghana, and authorities continue to investigate the international network involved.
