Saint-Jérôme, Thursday, February 21, 2008 – An investigation conducted by RCMP officers from the Laurentides-Lanaudière-Outaouais Detachment has led to charges being laid this morning against five persons who allegedly sold used vehicles with their odometers rolled back. The places of business from where they operated have been closed since October 2007. At least
332 consumers have fallen victims to this alleged fraud.
The accused are: Florian Foucault, 72, of Piedmont, Danny Martorana, 26, of Lorraine, and three Blainville residents, namely Frank Martorana, 49, Johanne Brien, 45, and Sonny Martorana, 22. A total of 334 charges were laid against the accused at the Saint-Jérôme Court House, including 332 indictments for fraud, one indictment for attempted fraud, and one indictment for conspiracy to defraud under the Criminal Code. The fraud is estimated at close to $6,115,000.
The suspects allegedly used three places of business to commit the offences: Qualité Prix Auto Plus Inc. and Liquidation de saisies D. S. in Saint-Eustache, and Les véhicules Danmar in Lachute. Most of them had their odometers rolled back. The majority of the vehicles had been purchased in Ontario, but some also came from Alberta, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and the United States.
Odometer Rolled Back 400,000 km
The vehicles sold by the suspects had their odometers rolled back
100,000 km on average. The worst cases found by the RCMP Federal Investigation Section investigators were a 1999 GMC Savana and a 2004 Ford F-150, with their odometers rolled back 400,000 km and 395,000 km respectively.
The investigation into this complex fraud and conspiracy case was launched after a complaint was received from a consumer. Verifications conducted by RCMP investigators indicated that the allegations of fraud were founded. An initial search warrant was executed by Laurentides-Lanaudière-Outaouais Detachment officers in June 2007 at the Qualité Prix Auto Plus dealership in Saint-Eustache, resulting in the seizure of 53 vehicles that had allegedly been subjected to odometer tampering. The total value of the vehicles seized is $635,000.
The members of the Laurentides-Lanaudière-Outaouais Detachment were assisted by fellow RCMP members posted elsewhere in Quebec and also in Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba, New Brunswick and Newfoundland. Throughout this investigation, the federal police officers also received the assistance of the police force liaison and support service of the Société d’assurance automobile du Québec and the Canadian Police Information Centre through the Ontario Provincial Police.
Reading the “étiquette-auto”
Anyone planning to purchase a used vehicle can ensure that the odometer reading is valid by obtaining the vehicle history from the Société de l’assurance automobile du Québec or the motor vehicle registry in the province where the vehicle is purchased. Consumers are urged to read carefully the “étiquette-auto” providing mandatory information on the history of the vehicle for sale, including the serial number, as required under the Consumer Protection Act.
If you believe that you are a victim of this type of fraud, you may file a complaint with your nearest RCMP detachment. Your information may help curb the illegal activities of individuals who engage in this type of crime.
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For Information:
Communications Office
514 939-8308
