Calgary RCMP & Calgary Police Service in joint fraud opp

In December 2013 the RCMP Calgary Serious and Organized Crime team entered into an investigation involving a number of alleged financing frauds. Due to the scope of the investigation, the RCMP and Calgary Police Service Economic Crime Unit combined resources to target those alleged to be involved. This joint forces investigation has resulted in four individuals and one business being charged with fraud and money laundering. Support was also provided by The Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (FINTRAC). The offences include a series of mortgage and vehicle financing frauds.

We have now concluded our investigation and charges have been sworn against the following:

Giovanni Bartolotti, (m) 46 of Calgary, Alberta has been charged with conspiring to commit the indictable offense of fraud over $5000.00, contrary to section 465(1) (c) of the Criminal Code and conspiring to commit the indictable offense of laundering of proceeds of crime, contrary to section 465(1)(c) of the Criminal Code and 14 additional (fraud related) criminal code offences.

Kalim Khan, (m) 41 of Calgary, Alberta has been charged with conspiring to commit the indictable offense of fraud over $5000.00, contrary to section 465(1) (c) of the Criminal Code and conspiring to commit the indictable offense of laundering of proceeds of crime, contrary to section 465(1)(c) of the Criminal Code and 10 additional (fraud related) criminal code offences.

Lindsay Tietz, (m) 31 of Calgary, Alberta has been charged with two counts of having in his possession proceeds of crime, contrary to section 354 of the Criminal Code. A warrant of arrest has been issued for Lindsay Tietz and is being sought by police.

Linh Tran, (f) 37 of Calgary, Alberta has been charged with conspiring to commit the indictable offense of fraud over $5000.00, contrary to section 465(1)(c) of the Criminal Code and conspiring to commit the indictable offense of laundering of proceeds of crime, contrary to section 465(1)(c) of the Criminal Code and 19 additional (fraud related) criminal code offences.

The business charged is a numbered company, 1755569 Alberta Ltd of Calgary, Alberta controlled by Linh Tran. The business is charged with having in its possession money exceeding $5000.00, contrary to section 354 of the Criminal Code and transporting money exceeding $5000.00, with intent to conceal or convert that property, contrary to section 462.31 of the Criminal Code.

The offences occurred between September 2013 and December 2014 and victimized financial institutions, private lenders, and home owners in amounts exceeding $1 million dollars.

“Fraud is not a victimless crime. It can have long lasting implications for victims whose identities or financial information is stolen,” says Staff Sgt. Kristie Verheul, Calgary Police Service Economic Crimes Unit. “These investigations would not be successful without diligence from the public, financial institutions and our partner agencies such as the RCMP. Fraud is multijurisdictional and it’s critical we work together to find those responsible, no matter where they live and operate.”

Inspector K.C.A. (Allan) Lai, Acting Officer-in-Charge, RCMP Federal Policing South said “The RCMP Federal Policing - Financial Integrity Teams are determined to detect and prevent threats to the Canadian economy and seek to protect Canadians and their governments from financial crimes perpetrated by organized crime and others. Thank you to all the officers involved in bringing this investigation to an end. This success is a credit to our great partnership.”

Giovanni Bartolotti, Kalim Khan and Linh Tran have been released from custody and will be making their first court appearance in Calgary Queens Bench court on August 11, 2016.

If you have any information regarding the current location of Lindsay Tietz, please contact Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or