Two men charged in investigation of $2.1 million stolen vehicles in Toronto

Two men are facing more than 150 combined charges in connection with a massive $2.1 million car theft scheme that police allege was carried out from a Toronto car dealership.

On Wednesday, authorities revealed the results of Project Wardenwhich launched in August 2024.

Investigators learned that two suspects, who were employed at a Toronto car dealership, allegedly used their roles to acquire and sell stolen cars to unsuspecting customers.

Police said the vehicles would be purchased from numbered companies, some owned by the two suspects, who allegedly used money from the Toronto car dealership. The two men allegedly created what authorities called “fictitious sales agreements” using altered vehicle identification numbers (VINs).

The suspect would then change Carfax reports that matched the fraudulent vehicle information, leading buyers to believe they were legitimate.

The stolen cars were to be delivered to the buyer, with many later realizing that the vehicle’s chassis number did not match the car they purchased from the two suspects. Police noted that in some cases some cars had been wrongly registered in the names of people who were not on the sales documents.

Two men are involved in no fewer than 22 fraudulent car sales

On Monday, October 21, 2024, members of the Toronto Police Service (TPS) executed search warrants on homes, commercial garages and vehicles, with investigators locating and recovering two suspected ‘refinned’ cars.

TPS said the two men were involved in as many as 22 fraudulent car sales under the guise of employees of the Toronto dealership.

“These initiatives have resulted in more than a dozen arrests, more than a hundred indictments and the recovery of more than a hundred stolen vehicles, representing significant strides in our fight against auto theft,” said Detective Dan Kraehling.

On Wednesday, the suspects were identified as 35-year-old Harris Bocknek of Barrie and 32-year-old Fadi Zeto of Mississauga. The two men face several criminal charges, including multiple counts of forgery, uttering forged documents, fraud over $5,000 and trafficking in property obtained by crime over $5,000, among other related crimes.

Zeto was scheduled to appear in court on Tuesday, October 22, 2024, while Bocknek’s appearance was scheduled for Tuesday, December 17, 2024.

Kraehling said during Wednesday’s news conference that other car dealership employees discovered the alleged criminal activity and contacted authorities.

Police released Zeto’s image in the hope that more alleged car fraud victims would come forward.

“The purpose of Project Warden was to locate and arrest individuals responsible for the trafficking of stolen vehicles within the City of Toronto,” Kraehling said. “We believe there are more victims. If you recognize Mr. Zeto and he has sold you a vehicle, please contact 53 Division at 416-808-5306.”