Police in Hamilton have laid a total of 15 charges against a 30-year-old man following a major investigation into a sophisticated auto-theft ring that operated for years. The probe, dubbed Project Big Cat, led to the recovery of 23 stolen vehicles and the identification of over 36 stolen vehicles with a combined estimated value of $2.7 million.
Multi-Agency Investigation Uncovers Alleged Fraud
Hamilton Police's Break and Enter, Auto Theft and Robbery (B.E.A.R.) Unit spearheaded the investigation, partnering with the Équité Association, the Ministry of Transportation, the Ontario Motor Vehicle Industry Council (OMVIC), and other police services. The collaborative effort focused on dismantling a network allegedly using a local dealership to traffic stolen vehicles.
Investigators identified Bengal Auto, a Hamilton-based dealership, as being central to the alleged operation. According to a police news release issued on Friday, November 14, 2025, stolen vehicles were fraudulently registered through the dealership. The scam involved cloning or altering vehicle identification numbers (VINs) to make the stolen cars and trucks appear legitimate on official documents.
Search Warrants Executed, Charges Laid
On Thursday, November 13, 2025, the B.E.A.R. Unit and its partner agencies executed several search warrants across the Hamilton area. This action culminated in the charges against the accused, whose name has not been released by authorities.
The man now faces a string of serious charges, including:
- Trafficking in property obtained by crime
- Fraud over $5,000
- Use and making of forged documents
- Possession of property obtained by crime
- Altering, destroying, or removing a vehicle identification number (VIN)
Police Issue Public Warning to Vehicle Buyers
In light of this case, police are urging the public to exercise extreme caution when buying or selling a vehicle. To avoid becoming a victim of auto theft fraud, authorities recommend conducting thorough research through official channels.
They specifically point residents to the following websites to verify a vehicle's history and a dealer's legitimacy: omvic.ca, ontario.ca, and equiteassociation.com.
Anyone with information related to this investigation is asked to contact Hamilton Police at 905-546-3849 or 905-546-2991. Anonymous tips can be submitted to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online at crimestoppershamilton.com.
