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| IDs seized by police, Photo by Malik Manning |
The investigation, which began in January after a Crime Stoppers tip, found that the IDSHACK store had been selling the identification, from all provinces except Ontario and all U.S. states, as novelty items.
Det. Barry Radford said the market for the identification spans from teens trying to get into bars to criminals trying to commit fraud.
“We have proof that criminals are using them for criminal activities,” said Radford, noting a man was arrested in another case allegedly using the identification to commit fraud.
“They can get other cards that are legitimate. The ramifications are endless,” Radford said, of fake identification being used to get student identification or even a driver’s licence.
He said that under age drinking should not be tolerated and can lead to injuries for teens.
Police seized identification they believe belongs to customers, computers and printers used in the business as well as close to $2,000 cash.
Radford said the business was not picky about who they sold to, noting they allegedly sold to an undercover officer online and at their store front location and were willing to make an identification with a picture of another person.
“They didn't care who they sold to,” Radford said.
Maria Pereda Martinez, 29; Julie Jimenez, 27; and Andrew Dnieper, 42; all of Toronto, have each been charged with Identity Theft, Illegally Possess Government Identity Documents, Expose Counterfeit Mark, Instruments of Forgery, Uttering Forged Document and Possession of Property Obtained by Crime (under).
Anyone with information about this ongoing investigation is asked to contact police at 416-808-5100, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477), online at www.222tips.com, text TOR and your message to CRIMES (274637), or Leave A Tip on Facebook. Download the free Crime Stoppers Mobile App on iTunes, Google Play or Blackberry App World.
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