An example photo of the Ford truck (ALERT's Auto Crimes Unit)

By Justin Goulet

Known offender implicated in high-end vehicle fraud

Nov 18, 2020 | 9:28 AM

CALGARY, AB – ALERT Calgary’s Auto Crimes Unit has recovered two high-end vehicles and issued a warrant for a prolific vehicle fraud suspect.

Philip Mackay is accused of fraudulently purchasing high-end, luxury vehicles from a multitude of dealerships. The ALERT investigation covered multiple provinces and saw the unit work with Lethbridge Police, Moose Jaw Police, the Calgary Police Service and British Columbia’s Integrated Municipal Provincial Auto Crime Team (IMPACT).

Two vehicles were seized: a 2020 Ford truck with a value of $74,000 and a 2019 Land Rover valued at $138,000. Both vehicles were recovered by IMPACT in Richmond, B.C.

A warrant has been issued for Mackay’s arrest and the 61-year-old is charged with fraud, possession of stolen property and identity theft. He is currently in custody in Ontario for separate but similar offences.

In April, the Edmonton Police Service issued a Canada-wide warrant for Mackay after he allegedly used false identification to buy five luxury vehicles.

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“This suspect is well-known among auto crimes investigators and we suspect these vehicles were in the process of being transported to foreign black markets,” said Det. Knut Shoebotham with ALERT’s Auto Crimes Unit.

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