Editor’s note: Global News has confirmed Bruce Mawer was convicted of uttering a forged document and received 12 months probation. The fraud over $5,000 charge was withdrawn.
Edmonton police are looking to speak with people who may have unknowingly bought vehicles on buy-and-sell websites that had their odometers rolled back.
The warning comes after police arrested a man alleged of doing just that.
READ MORE: Drowning in debt, Alberta fraud victim warns some deals ‘too good to be true’
Two weeks ago, after inquiring about a 2015 Jeep Patriot that was listed on Kijiji, police said a prospective buyer began to do his own research.
Police said the buyer followed up on documentation that was provided by the seller and reached out to the auction company where the seller got the Jeep.
Through this process, police said the buyer found out the vehicle was purchased at auction with a significantly higher odometer reading — approximately 100,000 kilometres — than advertised by the seller, police said.
READ MORE: Edmonton police make arrest in Kijiji cellphone scams
Police said they began investigating on Sept. 18, and have since charged 45-year-old Bruce Mawer with fraud over $5,000 and uttering a forged document.
Edmonton police allege Mawer may have sold multiple vehicles with altered odometers on Kijiji and other buy-and-sell platforms, and are encouraging other complainants to come forward by calling the EPS at 780-423-4567 or #377 from a mobile phone.