Calgary police have arrested and charged four people in connection with a six-month-long investigation into an organized fraud ring.

Acting on reports of numerous frauds to obtain merchandise, pre-paid credit cards, and vehicles from rental companies, police initiated an in-depth investigation which has since resulted in the arrests of four people.

On October 22, police at the Calgary International Airport were alerted to a group of three people who were attempting to rent a vehicle with a fraudulent credit card.

When the individuals were caught and searched, police found forged credit cards, government-issued ID, and altered cards.

There was also a significant amount of stolen property and $1,063 in cash found.

Lawrence Culajara, 24, has been charged with:

  • Possession of property obtained by crime
  • Possession of a forged credit card
  • Unlawfully possessing credit card data
  • Fraud under $5,000
  • Possession of identity documents
  • Making or affixing a counterfeit mark

Misty Nicole McMaster, 29, has been charged with:

  • Two counts of possessing a forged credit card
  • One count of unlawfully possessing credit card data
  • Two counts of fraud under $5,000

The third person was released without charge.

Following these arrests, police executed a search warrant on a home in southeast Calgary on November 6.

Investigators seized a significant quantity of fraud-related equipment from home in the 300 block of Midlake Boulevard S.E., including:

  • a credit card embosser machine
  • numerous counterfeit, forged or modified credit cards
  • credit card data
  • 4.1 grams of crystal meth
  • a replica semi-automatic handgun
  • a stolen Chrysler 300

Two other people were arrested during the execution of the warrant, who police believe were working with the suspects who were caught during the previous encounter.

Vivencio Antonio, 30, has been charged with:

  • Possession of an instrument for forging credit cards
  • Unlawfully possessing of credit card data
  • Possession of a stolen credit card
  • Possession of a controlled substance

Stephanie Paul, 27, has been charged with:

  • Two counts of motor vehicle theft
  • One count of possession of an instrument for forging credit cards
  • One count of possession of credit card data
  • Two counts of possession of a stolen credit card
  • One count of possession of a controlled substance
  • Once count of fraud under $5,000
  • Breach of a recognizance

The first two suspects will appear in court on December 10, while the two arrested in southeast Calgary will appear in court on November 12.