51st Annual Vehicle Crimes Conference
TORONTO, ON, MAY 30, 2024/insPRESS/ – The Canadian Association of Special Investigation Units (CASIU), the Northeast Regional Chapter of the International Association of Auto Theft Investigators (IAATI) and Peel Regional Police united their strengths to present the 51st Annual Vehicle Crimes Conference.
Held at the Mississauga Convention Centre (May 6-9, 2024) – the conference brought together 350+ delegates, over 20 exhibitors and an incredible line-up of speakers to collaborate, share insights and address the challenges posed by the auto theft epidemic.
Opening remarks were provided by:
Solicitor General of Ontario – Michael S. Kerzner
City of Brampton Mayor – Patrick Brown
Peel Regional Police Chief – Nishan Duraiappah
IAATI President – Nathan McGanty
CASIU President – Sue Collings
Northeast-IAATI President – Cory Rodriguez
Conference video supplied by: Det. Greg O’Connor, Commercial Auto Crime Bureau, Peel Regional Police & Northeast-IAATI Director.
As stated by Sue Collings, CASIU President: “This conference served as a platform for collaboration, learning and inspiration. Together, we have the power to shape the future, tackle pressing challenges, and drive positive change in our communities and beyond.”
“The auto theft epidemic is not slowing down” says Cory Rodriguez, President, Northeast IAATI. “It’s important to look beyond the property crime aspect of auto theft and see the bigger impact of the crimes these stolen vehicle are used in (robberies, homicides and terrorism). I hope this conference gave everyone new tools, techniques and resources to help investigate these crimes.”
Our sincere gratitude to all who contributed to making this conference a tremendous success. Your participation and dedication have truly made a significant impact.
To see additional photos of the conference, please click HERE.
About CASIU
The Canadian Association of Special Investigation Units (CASIU) is an association comprised of insurance investigators and business professionals. We combat insurance fraud through education, training and by developing a greater awareness of insurance fraud. Networking opportunities exist within our association. We encourage networking as it promotes learning and the ability to become acquainted with current trends and innovative ways of combating insurance fraud. CASIU also strongly encourages high professional standards of conduct. We support legislation, coordinate and cooperate with law enforcement and criminal justice on fraud related issues.
About IAATI
The International Association of Auto Theft Investigators (IAATI) was formed in 1952 in order to improve communication and coordination among the growing family of professional auto theft investigators. It has grown to over 2,000 members representing 58 countries and includes representatives of law enforcement agencies, as well as many others with a legitimate interest in auto theft investigation, prevention and education. We recognize that, just as law enforcement agencies cannot successfully function independent of one another, auto theft investigation requires the active participation of the private sector; therefore, our membership also includes the insurance industry, automobile manufacturers, car rental companies and, of course, the National Insurance Crime Bureau and its sister agencies in Canada and Europe
The Canadian Association of Special Investigation Units (CASIU), the Northeast-IAATI Regional Chapter of the International Association of Auto Theft Investigators (IAATI) and Peel Regional Police united their strengths to present the 51st Annual Vehicle Crimes Conference.
Held at the Mississauga Convention Centre (May 6-9, 2024) – the conference brought together 350+ delegates, over 20 exhibitors and an incredible line-up of speakers to collaborate, share insights and address the challenges posed by the auto theft epidemic.
Opening remarks were provided by:
Solicitor General | Solliciteur général of Ontario – Michael S. Kerzner
City of Brampton Mayor – Patrick Brown
Peel Regional Police Chief – Nishan Duraiappah
International Association of Auto Theft Investigators (IAATI) President – Nathan M.
CASIU President – Sue Collings
Northeast-IAATI President – Cory Rodriguez,
As stated by Sue Collings, CASIU President: “This conference served as a platform for collaboration, learning and inspiration. Together, we have the power to shape the future, tackle pressing challenges, and drive positive change in our communities and beyond.”
“The auto theft epidemic is not slowing down” says Cory Rodriguez, President, Northeast IAATI. “It’s important to look beyond the property crime aspect of auto theft and see the bigger impact of the crimes these stolen vehicle are used in (robberies, homicides and terrorism). I hope this conference gave everyone new tools, techniques and resources to help investigate these crimes.”
Our sincere gratitude to all who contributed to making this conference a tremendous success. Your participation and dedication have truly made a significant impact.
Obituary:
https://obituaries.thespec.com/obituary/robert-gutwein-1089458552
Last week we heard the sad news of the passing of Bob Gutwein. Many of you will remember Bob for his 17 years as the VP of Accident Support Services International & may have forgotten of the 25 years he worked in the insurance industry. In fact, Bob was one of the first to start an in-house SIU while Director of Claims at Zurich Insurance. Prior to this, insurers relied on the ICPB (equivalent of Equite today) for all their investigative needs – which focused primarily on auto theft & arson. Bob was a visionary who was always looking to the future & was passionate about the fight against insurance fraud.
I’d like to take this moment to express what Bob meant to me on a personal level & how he impacted my life. In 1995, I applied for a position with Zurich’s SIU even though I didn’t meet all the qualifications. I didn’t know it at the time, but Bob had already closed the interview process & had selected his new hire but hadn’t told them yet – when my resume landed on his desk. Curious about who I was, he called me in for an interview. Three hours later (yes, Bob & I both like to talk) I had the job. He told me that if he could talk to someone for three hours without looking at his watch, he could work with them. I was a bit of an anomaly as I was not aware of any other female insurance investigators in the industry at the time. Other insurers were only hiring old, retired cops but not Bob; he thought outside the box. l remember my first day Bob telling me there was a new trend where insurers were deliberately staging car accidents for the Accident Benefits & he wanted me to become Zurich’s in-house expert. As the scam was so new, there was no training or courses one could take on how to investigate these claims, so Bob & I worked together to find our way. I guess you could say – & the rest is history.
It is an understatement to say that Bob Gutwein changed my life for the better. I would not be where I am today without him. Bob was my boss, my mentor but most importantly my dear friend. I will miss his warm, positive attitude, his endless smile & most of all, his kindness.
I would urge any of you reading this who have your own “Bob Gutwein” in your life, reach out to them today & let them know how much they mean to you. They won’t be around forever.
Bob’s wife Wendy of 51 years has advised there will be no public funeral. The family will be having a private service.
Sue Collings
Registration is now open.
https://www.vehiclecrimesconference.com/
Banquet Confirmation
For those attending the conference and plan on attending the Banquet on Wednesday May 8th, use this link to confirm:
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Event Schedule
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Educate. Network. Advance.
May 6-9, 2024
Mississauga Convention Centre, Ontario, Canada
Canadian Underwriter magazine asked some of Canada’s top P&C insurance leaders to discuss the most important challenges facing the industry in 2024 and how the industry should respond. Delve into their expert opinions by following the link below.
The “2024 Executive Outlook” features the following lineup of esteemed participants, each bringing a wealth of experience and insight to the dialogue:
Louis Gagnon – Intact
Valérie Lavoie – Desjardins General Insurance Group
Greg M. Smith – Crawford & Company (Canada) Inc.
Ben Isotta-Riches – Aviva Canada
Celyeste Power – Insurance Bureau of Canada
Bernard McNulty – Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty (AGCS)
Christian Fournier – Beneva
Anna McCrindell – Wawanesa Insurance
Lisa Giannone – BFL CANADA
Mathias Sommer – Zurich Canada / Zurich North America
Matthew Turack – CAA Insurance
Nick Creatura, CPA, CA – CNA Canada
David Partington ACII – Gallagher Canada
Tina Osen – HUB International
Adam Mitchell – Mitch Insurance Brokers
Rob Wesseling – The Cooperators
Chris Sekine – Trisura Guarantee Insurance Company
Rob Marsh – Liberty Mutual Insurance
Stéphane Lespérance – Aon Canada
Robin Joshua – Echelon Insurance
A car break-down on the road can be stressful enough, but thankfully there are new rules in Ontario to help protect drivers against fraudulent towing companies.
Starting this month, the province becomes responsible for certifying tow operators, drivers and vehicle storage operators.
As part of the certification, tow truck drivers will have to meet certain training, insurance and vehicle safety standards—as well as get a criminal record check. It also means that these individuals will be exempt from municipal business licensing by-laws.
“This is a consumer thing that we desperately need. I really hope it works, it’s a long time coming,” said the CEO of CAA Jeff Walker.
Every year, it’s estimated auto insurance fraud costs Manitoba customers about $50 million. In 2023, Manitoba Public Insurance (MPI) special investigations unit (SIU) closed more than 3,000 investigations, resulting in claims savings of more than $10.5 million for customers.
“Our experts in SIU investigate suspicious claims to give customers the peace of mind that the right claims are being paid for the right amount,” said Satvir Jatana, MBA, MPI’s chief customer officer.
Here are MPI’s Top 5 fraud claims of 2023:
#fraud #insurancefraud #autoinsurancefraud #fraudawareness #SIU #fraudprevention #fraudfighters
York Regional Police say officers have recovered 25 stolen vehicles, some of which were found parked at a Mississauga, Ont., parking lot.
Police said that in November, the force’s auto cargo theft unit and the integrated property crime task force became aware of a parking lot in Mississauga where multiple stolen vehicles were parked.
Suspects were identified and other locations were discovered where stolen vehicles were being taken and stored, police said.
An Ontario woman was surprised to find out her licence plate was duplicated by another driver after multiple Highway 407 bills landed in her mailbox.
“When I looked up those dates, it was the Easter weekend and I wasn’t even in the city,” Obioma Dike told CTV News Toronto.
Toronto police have recovered more than 550 stolen vehicles worth an estimated $27 million, including many that were bound for sale overseas, during an ongoing auto theft investigation launched last year.
The investigation called Project Stallion began in November 2022 in response to the doubling of Greater Toronto Area vehicle thefts since 2019, Toronto police said Tuesday.
The probe has led to the recovery of 556 stolen vehicles, police said, adding that the 119 people arrested are facing a total of 314 charges.
“This is a very large recovery… but I can tell you we’re not stopping here,” Toronto Police Supt. Ron Taverner told reporters. “A message for the criminals: We’re coming after you.”
Det. Sgt. Peter Wehby said the spike in auto thefts is not exclusive to the GTA. “This is a now provincial, national and even international problem.”
Expert says fraudsters love gift cards because they’re anonymous and easily accessible in stores. #fraudawareness #fraudprevention
Durham Regional Police recovered 23 stolen vehicles with an estimated recovery value of more than $1 million dollars during Project Vulture, part of a global police operation targeting stolen vehicles.
Project Vulture was done alongside Operation Carback, which was spearheaded by INTERPOL and coordinated through the RCMP.
In an effort to combat the rising auto theft trend, the Halton Regional Police Service (HRPS) in partnership with the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) formed Project Eleanor. Commencing in January, 2022 and over several months, HRPS investigated thieves responsible the reprogramming theft and trafficking of high end SUV’s and pickup trucks in Halton and throughout the GTA.
Through a variety of investigative means, several suspects were identified and the location of a shipping yard was discovered.
Over the course of two days, criminal code search warrants were executed at a residence in Toronto and a shipping yard in Mississauga.
As a result of Project Eleanor, 32 stolen vehicles were recovered worth an estimated $2.2 million dollars.
Investigators also located and seized $11,000 in Canadian currency, stolen property and technology used in reprogramming auto theft.
York Regional Police, in partnership with Peel Regional Police and the newly formed GTA task force on carjackings, have charged two suspects following a violent carjacking in the City of Vaughan.
On Tuesday, May 31, 2022, at approximately 1 p.m. York Regional Police responded to a carjacking in the area of Purell Crescent and Drummond Crescent. Police learned two suspects armed with handguns confronted a male victim in his driveway, demanding his wallet, phone and vehicle keys. The suspects stole the victim’s 2020 black Audi Q5 and personal property at gunpoint, then fled the scene prior to police arriving. Investigators of the YRP Hold-Up Unit were engaged.
The victim was not physically injured.
On Wednesday, June 1, 2022, at approximately 10:30 a.m., Peel Regional Police 11 Division uniform officers were on patrol in the area of Meadowvale Town Centre Circle in the City of Mississauga when they located the stolen vehicle. The vehicle was occupied by two suspects, a male and female, who attempted to flee on foot before being apprehended by Peel officers. The suspects discarded a satchel while trying to escape, which was found to hold a loaded magazine for a firearm. A search of the stolen vehicle resulted in locating a firearm.
Newmarket, Ontario — When reports of corruption within the GTA’s towing industry first hit mainstream headlines, local police services looked poised to get to the bottom of it, but as the aftermath of Project Platinum is sorted out in court this week, defence lawyers are baffled by the amount of charges that have been stayed.
Don Carter, a lawyer representing one of the individuals accused in Project Platinum, said Justice Laura Bird’s decision to stay the charges against him “came entirely out of the blue,” when the decision was made in Newmarket, Ont. court on Wednesday.
“I was certainly surprised,” he said. “It was a shocking turn of events. Over 40 charges related to guns and drugs were stayed against my client. It was a really major project; its been going on for two years with several groups being prosecuted…I can only imagine the kinds of resources put into this by police and the Crown.”
In total, more than 80 charges linked to Project Platinum were stayed.
Despite leading to little tangible justice for those victimized by bad-apple towing companies operating against industry standards, the York Regional Police maintains that Project Platinum left a positive impact.
“Successful prosecution is not the only measure by which we achieve our community safety goals,” Const. Laura Nicolle wrote in an email. “These efforts resulted in a substantial decrease in violence connected to the tow-truck industry and we were pleased to support the subsequent regulatory changes that were made to better protect motorists.”
In today’s Ontario Budget, “Ontario’s Plan to Build,” Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy announced significant changes to the auto insurance system that are designed to give consumers more choice, make products more affordable, create fairness for all drivers and introduce new measures to tackle fraud. These measures build on the government’s 2019 budget commitment to reform the auto insurance system.
Giving consumers choice
IBC and its members have long advocated that Ontario drivers pay too much for auto insurance, and that message has finally been heard by government. Today’s budget makes a commitment to review the mandatory product and provide flexibility for consumers to tailor coverage to best suit their needs.
Tackling fraud
Today’s budget commits the government to a consultation in which it will solicit input from stakeholders on measures to crack down on fraudulent actors and activities that raise the cost of insurance for all drivers, including “removing identified fraudsters through excluded provider lists” also known as delisting. This measure to tackle fraud reflects a key recommendation that IBC and its members proposed during consultations with FSRA last summer.
The budget also proposes amendments to the Insurance Act to require insurers to report fraud information to the Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario (FSRA). FSRA will lead a consultation on a reporting tool that insurers will use to supply data. The budget also proposes to require insurers to report fraud information to the Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario (FSRA). FSRA will lead a consultation on a reporting tool that insurers will use to supply data. IBC will seek details on how the reporting tool will be managed.
Enhancing fairness
On April 7, Will Bouma, Parliamentary Assistant to Minister Bethlanfalvy, informed the Legislature that the Minister had instructed FSRA to undertake a review of the territory rating system, which has not been materially updated in several years. IBC agrees that updating that system will assist insurers to more accurately and fairly rate drivers, and today’s budget puts in writing that commitment to review the system.
In addition, the budget commits to a review of access to, and use of, alternative insurance coverage for consumers. The government will review the system in areas where auto insurance is the second-payor of benefits, and review whether auto insurance or other coverage should be the first-payor.
Next steps
A provincial election will be held on June 2. The items announced in today’s budget are contingent on the government being re-elected. IBC will continue to review the specifics in today’s budget to determine further implications for our members.
For more information, please contact:
Kim Donaldson
Vice-President, Ontario
Insurance Bureau of Canada
416-200-8416
kdonaldson@ibc.ca
Just months since being established, a pair of programs designed to clean up Ontario’s towing sector appear to be realizing some early gains.
Across the province, towing companies that respond to police-initiated calls must now be screened and approved by Ontario Provincial Police (OPP). And in the Greater Toronto Area, a separate Ontario Ministry of Transportation (MTO) pilot project divides such work into individual zones, limiting the tows on provincial highways to 10 pre-approved contractors that charge pre-defined rates.
York Regional Police has seized seven stolen catalytic converters after a traffic stop in the Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville.
On Wednesday, April 13, 2022, around 11:30 a.m., an officer on patrol in the area of Bloomington Road and Highway 404, conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle with stolen license plates.
Upon investigation, the officer located seven stolen catalytic converters. A 25-year-old male driver and 20-year-old female passenger were charged.
Seventy-one per cent of Canada’s P&C industry reports being happy with their new hybrid office arrangements, according to a Canadian Underwriter online poll.
Almost 46% reported being ‘very satisfied’ with moving to hybrid work, while a further 26% were satisfied. Only 11% reported being either dissatisfied or very dissatisfied with their current hybrid office arrangements.
Canadian Underwriter’s poll of 650 P&C insurance professionals this week found almost 89% of the industry offers a hybrid work arrangement, meaning employees can choose to work from home for at least one day of the week.
Marketplace investigation finds stolen cars from Ontario and Quebec in Nigeria’s used car lots
Cars stolen from Ontario and Quebec are openly being advertised and sold in West African countries, including Nigeria and Ghana, according to a Marketplace investigation, which also found thieves are targeting vehicles with push-to-start ignitions.
Stolen vehicles are being shipped overseas by thieves so audacious, they leave behind takeout containers, identifiable bumper stickers and even licence plates.
When most people think of organized crime, they probably picture Tony Soprano’s “waste management” gig, the various drug cartels, or the body counts racked up by the Mafia in cities like New York and Chicago in decades past. But for the people living in Canada’s most populous province, organized crime takes a very different but very real form: Towing. Yes, towing. Criminal enterprises have run rampant across Ontario’s towing industry since at least the early 2000s, and the situation has resulted in unlawful tows, firebombs, and even murders across the greater Toronto Area.
To understand why there’s so much crime in Canada’s towing industry, we have to back up and look at what many local organizations blame as being part of the problem: the way police call tow trucks to the scene of a wreck, and the lack of industry regulation.
The total value of the vehicles stolen by the organization in Quebec and Ontario was about $2 million.
Laval police announced on Monday they had arrested five suspects and were seeking two others after breaking up a car theft ring that operated in Quebec and Ontario.
The Canadian P&C industry is responding to humanitarian relief efforts related to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, with several carriers beginning to make sizeable donations.
The situation in Ukraine has escalated since Russia’s invasion on Feb. 24, and the humanitarian needs are extensive and increasing rapidly.
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees estimates around 1.8 million Ukrainians have been displaced to date. And United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights reported 1,335 civilian casualties in the country (474 killed and 861 injured) as of Mar. 8.
Hello everyone, today the 8th March we commemorate International Women’s Day. The Board and I extended our best wishes on this day, to all our female colleagues.
Toronto, Ontario — According to newly released data from the Toronto Police Service, auto thefts are up more than 50 percent in the first two months of this year compared to the same period in 2021.
Around this time in 2021, 810 auto thefts had been reported in Toronto; this year, the city has already surpassed 1,240 reported thefts over the same two-month period.
Reports of theft have been steadily rising since 2018, which saw 642 reports from January to March, and investigators feel confident that they have pinned down where the root of the trend lay.
“Vehicle theft is not a victimless crime. We’re talking about organized crime and the funding of terrorism,” said vice-president of investigative services at Équité Association, Bryan Gast.
Other cars are stolen, “re-vinned” and re-sold within Canada, taking advantage of the current high demand for used vehicles.
Investigators with the York Regional Police Auto/Cargo Theft Unit have laid multiple charges and have recovered 50 stolen vehicles valued at approximately $3 million dollars in connection with an ongoing vehicle theft investigation.
Over the past several years, York Regional Police has seen an increase in thefts of vehicles from residential driveways. The majority of these thefts have occurred between midnight and 6 a.m.
Thieves have been using tools like screwdrivers to gain access into the driver or passenger doors, while ensuring not to set off alarms. Once inside, an electronic device, typically used by mechanics to reprogram the factory setting, is connected to a port below the dashboard and programs the vehicle to accept a key the thieves have brought with them. Once the new key is programmed, the vehicle will start and the thieves drive it away. The entire process only takes 10 to 20 minutes. Once stolen, vehicles are typically shipped overseas in shipping containers.
The York Regional Police Auto/Cargo Theft Unit with the assistance of the Canada Border Services Agency and Equite Association have remained active and aggressive in efforts to combat this issue and to identify suspects responsible. In this recent investigation, officers identified eight suspects, executed search warrants on two residential addresses and a commercial property and were able to successfully recover 50 stolen vehicles valued at approximately $3 million dollars. Officers also seized $80,000 in cash.
Vehicle owners are encouraged to consider the following safety tips to help prevent their vehicles from being stolen:
For more information contact the York Regional Police Auto/Cargo Theft Unit at 1-866-876-5423, ext. 6651, or call Corporate Communications at 1-866-876-5423, ext. 2664.
The Halton Regional Police Service (HRPS) has made three arrests and laid multiple charges after an attempted theft of a vehicle in Oakville.
On Saturday January 8, 2022 just before 12:00 am police were contacted by an alert Oakville resident who observed a male suspect in the driveway of their home examining a Lexus SUV.
Police attended the area and made multiple arrests in connection to the investigation.
Gustavo Salazar (22) of Anjou QC, Konstantinos Sotiropoulos (21) of Laval QC, and Alexandre Doyon (21) or Montreal QC have all been charged with the following:
All three suspects were held in custody pending a bail hearing.
During the past year, the HRPS has seen a large volume of theft of high end sport utility vehicles. Suspects have used a relay or reprogramming methods to steal these vehicles, often using blank key fobs or automobile master keys.
During a reprograming theft, the suspect(s) forcefully gains entry to the vehicle. Once inside, the suspect(s) access the diagnostic port of the vehicle which allows them to reprogram a blank key fab to start and steal the vehicle.
The majority of vehicles being targeted include (but are not limited to):
There are some measures that residents can take to decrease the chance of the vehicle being stolen:
Additional Tips:
The HRPS is applying significant resources to investigate these occurrences. Crime prevention is a shared responsibility. Call 911 if you witness a crime in progress or if you see suspicious persons/vehicles in your neighbourhood.
Anyone with information regarding this investigation is asked to contact the 2 District Criminal Investigations Bureau at 905-825-4777 ext. 2216
Tips can also be submitted anonymously to Crime Stoppers. “See something? Hear something? Know something? Contact Crime Stoppers” at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or through the web at www.haltoncrimestoppers.ca.
Media Inquiries:
Halton Regional Police Service
Corporate Communications
Phone: 905-825-4899
Email: corpcomm@haltonpolice.ca
Read this news update on our website