Complex fraud scheme focusing on trucks results in three arrests

An 11-year fraud scheme involving semi-trailer trucks has resulted in multiple charges against three people, police said Thursday.

Last year, the Calgary Police Service noticed thefts of semi-trailer trucks were on the rise. They also noticed that a very low percentage of these trucks were being recovered, which was unusual because close to 90 per cent of all stolen vehicles are found.

An investigation was launched and detectives determined that one Calgary trucking company, Lakha Trucking Ltd., had reported many thefts over the previous decade.

The investigation led detectives to believe that the trucks had never actually been stolen.

In fact, police allege the company falsely reported thefts to collect insurance payouts. The semi-trailer trucks in question were then given new and fraudulent Vehicle Identification Numbers, police say, noting a minimum of eight vehicles were involved in the frauds,

Insurance payments totalling more than $350,000 were distributed in connection with the scheme. This type of insurance fraud leads to increased insurance premiums for consumers, police noted.

Police in Alberta, British Columbia, Saskatchewan and Northwest Territories worked together to recover seven of the trucks involved in this case. Three people are now facing charges.

Lakhbir Singh Dhaliwal, 52, of Calgary is charged with one count each of fraud over $5,000, uttering forged documents, public mischief, trafficking in stolen property and tampering with a VIN. Nasib Kaur Dhaliwal, 52, of Calgary, is charged with one count each of fraud over $5,000 and uttering forged documents. Baltej Singh Dhaliwal, 56, of Calgary is charged with one count each of fraud over $5,000, uttering forged documents and trafficking in stolen property.

All three will appear in court April 9.