PROJECT JETSETTER: Male Wanted for Vehicle Purchase Fraud in Pickering
An arrest warrant has been issued for a male who fraudulently purchased a vehicle from a dealership in Pickering.
On Tuesday, December 30, 2025, a male attended a Pickering dealership and used fraudulent documents to purchase a 2021 BMW X5 SUV valued at $55,000. The vehicle was then exported out of Canada before police were able to intervene.
On Saturday, May 9, 2026, the was removed from Canada.
Alin Gabriel NICOLAE, age 36 from Romania is wanted for: Fraud Over $5000, Make False Statement to Procure Personal Property, Possession of Property Obtained by Crime for the Purpose of Trafficking, and Dispose of Property to Avoid Creditors.
Anyone with information about this or similar incidents is asked to contact D/Cst. Taylor of the Financial Crimes Unit at 1-888-579-1520 ext. 5283.
Investigators believe this scam is linked to an organized group involved in criminal tourism.
Criminal tourism is an emerging threat that impacts communities across Canada. Offenders are entering Canada legally on tourist visas with the specific intent to commit a multitude of crimes before either fleeing the country or evading immigration officials by overstaying their legal visa periods. Offenders are often part of a larger organized criminal network whose activities can include fraud, theft, property crime, identity theft, financial scams, and other organized crime behaviours. These criminal tourists are using sophisticated methods to avoid detection, including moving between regions, using false identities, and exploiting legal loopholes.
These crimes can have a severe impact on victims who face financial losses, emotional stress, and a deep sense of violation. DRPS through Project Jetsetter, alongside our policing partners are working diligently to identify, disrupt and hold these offenders accountable. If you encounter suspicious activities please report it to police immediately. This information can assist to prevent further victimization and exploitation.
Anonymous information can be sent to Durham Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or online at www.durhamregionalcrimestoppers.ca and tipsters may be eligible for a cash reward.
The information in this media release contains facts and circumstances that have been obtained from a police investigation. These allegations have yet to be proven in court.
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