CALGARY – Police have laid charges against a 26-year-old man accused of defrauding people through online auto parts sales.
Officers launched an investigation in November 2015 after a man living in Newfoundland and Labrador complained he had paid for a vehicle part advertised online which was never sent to him. He said he was unable to contact the seller and never got his money back.
During the span of a lengthy investigation, police identified more than 50 people across Canada who had lost money after attempting to purchase auto parts online.
The victims claimed the seller would request payment upfront or a deposit to cover the cost of shipping. Then, after receiving payment by e-transfer or wire transfer, the seller would fail to send the parts and would also not return any of the money he had obtained.
Other victims alleged they had dealt with a man who took their vehicle to perform mechanical work, but either didn’t complete it, or claimed the vehicle had been stolen from outside his residence.
On Tuesday, police arrested Jeffrey John Keizer, 26, (who also goes by the name of Jack Van Der Van, Kyle Brown and Kenny MacDonald) in southeast Calgary.
He is charged with one count of theft of a motor vehicle and 10 counts of fraud under $5,000. Keizer is schedule to appear in court on Friday, Feb. 19.
Anyone who believes they may have been defrauded during an online transaction is encouraged to call the police non-emergency number 403-266-1234, or contact Crime Stoppers.