A major Ontario auto fraud investigation has led to the arrest of four individuals, including an employee connected to a privately operated ServiceOntario location, after police uncovered an alleged scheme involving stolen vehicles being re-registered and sold as legitimate automobiles.
The Ontario Provincial Police announced Thursday that the investigation, known as “Project Tailwind,” focused on allegations of “re-vinning” — a criminal practice in which stolen vehicles are assigned altered or fraudulent Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) to conceal their origins.
According to investigators, documents used in Ontario’s vehicle registration system were allegedly being improperly obtained and misused to create false identities for stolen vehicles.
Police say the fraudulent documentation enabled stolen vehicles to receive new VIN numbers and be registered through Ontario’s transportation system, allowing them to be sold and driven as if they were legitimate vehicles.
As part of the investigation, officers executed four search warrants earlier this month in Brampton, Maple, and Kitchener.
Authorities recovered six stolen vehicles along with electronic devices believed to be connected to the operation.
The accused include:
- Sonia Cianfaran, 28, of Vaughan, charged with breach of trust and trafficking property obtained by crime over $5,000.
- Sarvathan Balasubramaniam, 32, of Brampton, charged with using and dealing in forged documents and trafficking property obtained by crime over $5,000.
- Gajan Karunanithy, 34, of Brampton, facing similar charges related to forged documents and trafficking stolen property.
- Jose Lozano, 36, of Kitchener, also charged with forged document offences and trafficking stolen property.
All four accused have been released from custody and are scheduled to appear in court in Newmarket on June 12.
The investigation highlights ongoing concerns surrounding organized auto theft and fraudulent vehicle registration schemes across Ontario, where stolen vehicles are often re-identified and resold through sophisticated criminal networks.
Police are asking anyone with information related to the case to contact the Ontario Provincial Police or provide anonymous tips through Crime Stoppers.