North Vancouver man facing over 20 charges in $130K fraud investigation

A three month-long investigation by West Vancouver Police (WVPD) has resulted in the arrest of a man who is alleged to have committed fraud and property crime-related offences totalling over $130,000.

See also

• 32 people arrested in Richmond RCMP retail theft sting
• Victim identified after fatal shooting near Main Street in Vancouver
• 18-year-old wanted for drug trafficking turns himself in: RCMP

In a release this week, police said the investigation began in January of 2019, when officers launched an investigation after reports of large-scale mail-theft in West Vancouver.

Through “various investigative means,” a suspect alleged to have committed multiple offences in West Vancouver – primarily through identity and credit card theft – was identified.

Then, this past Tuesday (June 25), WVPD officers arrested a man in North Vancouver “without incident” in connection with the investigation.

Now, 41-year-old North Vancouver resident Ali Reza Serri faces over 20 charges in connection with the investigation.

Police said these charges include:

• Fraud (1)
• False Pretenses or False Statement over $5000 (2)
• Theft over $5,000
• Possession of Property Obtained by Crime over $5,000 (4)
• Theft, Forgery, etc. of a Credit Card (12)
• Use, trafficking or possession of a forged document (1)
• Theft from Mail (1)(a)
• Possession of a Substance-Methamphetamine (1)
• Fail to Comply with Condition of UTA or Recognizance (3)

Police noted that WVPD’s Specialized Target Team help lead to the arrest of Serri.

Police said the Target Team “is a plain clothes unit, that specializes in the use of covert police tactics such as surveillance,” in order to gather intelligence in support of criminal investigations.

“This is an example of the great work that our Target Team does to keep our community safe,” said WVPD Insp. Scott Findlay. “Their specialized training and intelligence gathering plays an integral role in the suppression of criminal activity in West Vancouver.”

Serri made a first court appearance on June 26, and was remanded in custody pending another scheduled court appearance on Thursday.