Man arrested, charged in connection with Ontario auto insurance scam

Toronto Police Service officers arrested a man outside of his home in Edmonton this week in connection with an insurance scam.

On Tuesday, police arrested Serafattin (George) Solak after receiving a Canada-wide warrant from the Ontario Crown Attorney’s office.

During the arrest, officers seized fraudulent Aviva Canada motor vehicle insurance liability cards, according to a release from the insurer. The company said it  provided evidence of fraudulent activity leading to Solak’s arrest.

Earlier this summer, the Financial Services Commission of Ontario issued a public warning that Solak was “soliciting insurance business through ads on Craigslist and is misrepresenting himself as an insurance broker.”

According to a release from Aviva Canada, Solak has now been charged with:

• 1 count of Fraud over $5,000
• 13 counts of Fraud under $5,000
• 8 counts of Uttering a Forged Document
• 4 counts of Misleading Receipts
• 8 provincial charges of Sell, Give, Distribute Insurance Card

The allegations have not been proven in court.

Solak was returned to Toronto on Wednesday and is in custody awaiting a court appearance, according to Aviva.

“With the anonymity and ease of classified websites, we have seen a sharp increase in the amount of fake motor vehicle liability insurance cards, also known as pink slips, being sold online,” said James Russell, chief underwriting officer for Aviva Canada.

“Consumers need to be aware that some individuals have made a business out of defrauding others and use this type of scam as a regular source of income.”