Several months ago, we received word from the Ontario Motor Vehicle Industry Council about an elaborate financial scam targeting dealers in the province. More recently, there have been other reports of criminal activities targeting dealers, with both OMVIC and the Ontario Provincial Police asking dealers and their employees to be on the lookout for two men calling themselves “John” and “Brian Burke.” These two individuals were spotted in Bracebridge and Orangeville, late last month, posing as dealer customers interested in specific vehicles. In each town, vehicle thefts were reported following the men’s appearance at specific dealerships.
The OPP believes the two individuals pose as customers, expressing interest in certain cars and trucks. One of them aims to distract the salesperson while the other substitutes fake keys and fobs for the real ones to the vehicle. Later, once the dealership has closed the men return to steal vehicles from the lot. A pickup truck was stolen in Bracebridge on September 19, while another was stolen from Orangeville 10 days later. The OPP believes the two men are operating as part of an organized theft ring and is asking dealers to contact the Bracebridge detachment at (705) 645-2211 if they see or hear anything resembling their description or M.O.
