Vince Capotorto and Andrew Sergovich charged with internet fraud, Chatham

Two Chatham men were arrested in connection with a complex Internet-based fraud investigation which began in the fall of 2010.

In November 2010, an Oshawa resident reported to police a fraud involving the Internet and online purchasing of motor vehicles. The victim replied online via the Internet to an ad for a used pick-up truck on the Auto Trader website. The victim was led to believe that he could pay for the vehicle via an Ebay escrow account and consequently transferred money by wire transfer to an account located in Chatham, Ontario. The victim believed his funds would remain on hold until after he inspected and purchased the pick-up truck. The pick-up truck was not received and the victim’s funds had actually been sent to a business account that had no relationship whatsoever to Ebay.

Investigators determined two fraudulent business accounts were used and held by Viscorp Inc. and CK Truck Parts which were involved in this and other identical fraud-related criminal activity in Ontario. Four additional victims, who each had responded to identical advertisements and who were defrauded of their monies and vehicles, were also identified through the lengthy investigation.

In each case, the suspect identified himself as Greg PETITE and convinced each victim he had been recently transferred to the United States and would arrange to have the vehicle shipped to them at his own expense. The victims were furnished with several pictures of the vehicles which were supposedly for sale. The multiple victims, who reside in Oshawa, Woodstock, Hillburgh, Milton and Brockville, lost in excess of $20,000.

Vince CAPOTORTO, age 35 and Andrew SERGOVICH, age 28, both of Chatham, Ontario, are both charged with Fraud Under $5,000 x5. Both accused were released on an Undertaking with Conditions.