A man has been charged with fraud after police say he used a victim’s information to purchase two vehicles, and attempt to buy a third in Adjala-Tosorontio.
On Feb. 7 at about 3:30 p.m., police were called to the Ernie Dean Chevrolet dealership. The complainant said an appointment was set for Feb. 10 for a man to pick up a new 2025 GMC Sierra pickup truck worth $110,000 purchased over the phone. The accused provided the dealership with insurance, a void cheque, and a driver’s licence, Nottawasaga OPP said in a news release.
The accused told the dealership he was vice-principal of a school in Hamilton.
“The dealership began to have suspicions after they attempted to call the school to congratulate the buyer on his new pickup truck purchase and advise that it was available for pickup,” police said. “However, when speaking with the believed buyer, the dealership was informed that they did not purchase a new vehicle.”
The dealership then contacted police, believing an unknown person was using the victim’s information to purchase the vehicle.
Police determined the accused also recently purchased a 2024 Cadillac Escalade and a 2024 Ford F-150 using the victim’s information.
On Feb. 10, knowing the person posing as the victim would be attending the Ernie Dean dealership to pick up a vehicle, officers showed up and arrested the man at 2:22 p.m.
Pasquale Fonzo, 39, of Ottawa, has been charged with fraud over $5,000, identity theft (obtain or possess another person’s identity information), forgery (four counts) and personation with intent (identity fraud). He was held for a bail hearing.
This investigation is continuing, and anyone with information is asked to call OPP at 1-888-310-1122. Information can be provided anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or ontariocrimestoppers.ca.
