Four years after her shocking abduction, the investigation into the disappearance of Elnaz Hajtamiri has taken a dramatic turn, with Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) now linking the case to a sophisticated international stolen vehicle network with ties to Dubai and the United Arab Emirates.
A Case That Always Smelled Wrong
From the beginning, the 2022 kidnapping of the 37-year-old Iranian immigrant and aspiring cake decorator seemed to defy a simple explanation. On January 12, 2022, around 8:30 p.m., Hajtamiri was forcibly taken by three suspects from a relative's home on Trailwood Place in Wasaga Beach. Her body has never been found. While initially framed in a domestic context, the scale of the operation—involving multiple suspects—suggested a more complex criminal motive.
"It's not a domestic incident, that's not what it's about," a law enforcement source has now alleged. "It's about stolen trucks being shipped to Africa and the Middle East by a criminal gang."
The Stolen Vehicle Connection
This new angle points directly to the men accused of attacking Hajtamiri just weeks before her disappearance. In December 2021, she was assaulted in the underground garage of her Richmond Hill condo. Among those charged in that earlier attack were Harshdeep Binner, 23, and Riyasad Singh, 22.
Police records show these two individuals were deeply involved in a stolen vehicle ring in Edmonton. They were among three Ontario men charged with stealing 20 Ford F-150 trucks from the Edmonton area, targeting 2017 to 2020 models with push-button ignitions. The investigation raises a critical question: did Elnaz Hajtamiri know too much about this lucrative criminal operation?
The OPP has confirmed the investigation now spans multiple jurisdictions, including Timmins, the Greater Toronto Area, Quebec, and notably, Dubai and the United Arab Emirates. This international scope aligns with long-standing reports of high-end stolen vehicles being shipped from the Port of Montreal to destinations like Dubai and Africa.
Charges, Trial, and a Plea for Information
The suspected mastermind, Mohammed Lilo, Hajtamiri's former boyfriend, is charged with kidnapping and murder. He has pleaded not guilty, and his trial is scheduled for later this year. A group of other individuals described by sources as "low-rent thugs" have also been arrested and charged in connection with the case.
"Elnaz's family and friends have endured years of missed memories, celebrations and holidays without her, and we remain committed to finding the answers they deserve," stated OPP Det. Insp. Steven Martell. The Huronia West OPP Crime Unit continues to lead the investigation.
In a renewed effort to generate leads, a joint $100,000 reward is being offered by the Province of Ontario and York Regional Police for information that leads to discovering Hajtamiri's whereabouts. She is described as approximately 5-foot-3 with a slim build and black hair.
Anyone with information is urged to contact the Huronia West OPP at 1-888-310-1122, the dedicated tipline at 1-833-728-3415, or anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
