Police in Durham Region have arrested and charged a woman from Brampton in connection with an auto-financing fraud scam. Durham Regional Police Service (DRPS) says on Sept. 30, a female submitted an online application to purchase a 2027 Mercedes SUV at Mercedes-Benz dealership in Durham, using another person’s identification. They say the application included images of ID documents, including a Canadian passport displaying the suspect’s photograph but identified the victim as the holder. The application was ultimately approved, and financing was arranged through a financial institution. Prior to the vehicle being released, however, the victim was notified of the purchase. They reported it to both DRPS and the dealership as a case of identity fraud. On Oct. 8, a female suspect was taken into custody without incident when she attended the dealership to complete the transaction and take possession of the vehicle. Skylar Porter, 39, of Brampton, has been charged with one count each of fraud over $5,000, utter forged document, personation, possession of identity document, and possession of cocaine. The charges have not been tested in court. The accused was released on a promise to appear in court at a later date. This investigation is ongoing and anyone with further information is asked to contact Det. Stuart, of Durham police’s Financial Crimes Unit, at 1-888-579-1520, ext. 5353, or Crime Stoppers anonymously.
