Canada

Peel police say they have dismantled a violent criminal organization that attempted to extort hundreds of thousands of dollars from members of the community and defraud insurance companies by staging collisions across GTA roadways.

According to investigators, 18 people have been arrested and are facing a total of nearly 100 charges in the probe, which was launched in July 2024.

“They start at the planning stage. These are collisions that are often happening on our roadways, which obviously have a public safety impact, sometimes including police, ambulance and fire attending the scene,” he said.

“They continue the fraud all the way through the reporting and through the insurance industry to reap the material benefits of the fraud.”

An estimated $4.2 million worth of assets were seized as part of the probe, including 18 tow trucks, police noted. The trucks, Lorette said, were “some of the tools” used ”to commit their offences.”

The seizures occurred during the execution of 67 search warrants in Peel Region, Caledon, York Region, and Toronto on June 10, Lorette added. The investigation was conducted with the assistance of other GTA police forces, the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP).

“This investigation is still ongoing and we anticipate further arrests and charges,” Lorette said.