A Calgary man is facing fraud charges in connection with a vehicle that was believed to have been destroyed in the High River flood in June 2013.
Last month, an off-duty police officer was attending an auction when he spotted a 1962 Chevrolet Impala convertible he recognized.
The officer said he was sure the owner wrote off the vehicle, which was damaged to the point where it could not be repaired or registered.
Police believe the car had been purchased from a salvage company and the VIN swapped with the number from a similar vehicle to hide the damage history.
A phony bill of sale and inspection certificate was also found to be used to register the vehicle in Alberta.
Youssef Yangui, 63, is charged with:
- Uttering a forged document
- Tampering with a vehicle identification number
- Fraudulent concealment
Police say that flood-damaged vehicles are very unsafe and cannot be completely repaired. This is because water can damage a vehicle’s electrical components including airbags, antilock brake system, stability control, heating and cooling systems, and even its braking, acceleration, and steering.
Consumers looking to buy a used vehicle should always:
- Request to see the seller’s identification
- Perform a Carproof or Carfax on the vehicle and don’t be afraid to ask more questions about the vehicle’s history
- Check out the VIN attached to the vehicle and compare it to VIN found on similar makes and models
- Make sure the VIN on the dashboard matches with the only on the driver’s door frame. The number should be the same and should show no sign of peeling
- Take the car to a dealership for a proper inspection
Consumers should also always check the VIN on www.cpic-cipc.ca to make sure it isn’t stolen.
