Calgary police charge autobody shop worker with fraud

CALGARY – Police have laid fraud charges against an autobody shop worker.

The auto theft unit in Calgary says it received complaints in late 2012 about a worker who offered to ship damaged vehicles to another country.

The intent was that owners could report them stolen and claim insurance.

Police were able to intercept a vehicle prior to it being shipped to Africa.

Santiago Guifarro, 44, has been charged with fraud over $5,000 and counselling to commit an indictable offence.

Acting Staff Sgt. Mike Saunders outlined how the alleged fraud worked.

“He could make that vehicle disappear and allow the individual to make an insurance claim, so that would satisfy the car loan. And for that he would receive a fee for his involvement in the scheme,” Saunders said at a police news conference Friday.