A 38-year-old Vancouver man is facing 11 fraud-related charges after Detectives from the West Vancouver Police Major Investigations Team spent nearly 12 months gathering key evidence.
The investigation was launched in April of 2020, after WVPD received a report that a computer hard drive containing digital personal information had been stolen from a parked vehicle.
Soon after, the victim began receiving threatening emails from the suspects, who demanded money for the return of his personal data.
After a thorough investigation, which involved cyber elements and the execution of multiple search warrants, Detectives from the WVPD Major Investigations Team recovered, not only the victims personal information, but multiple stolen ID cards belonging to other Metro Vancouver victims, stolen computer components, drugs, and various other stolen property.
Victims were identified as far away as California.
On March 30, 2021 the suspect, 38-year-old Kristopher Joyce, was arrested in Vancouver.
“These charges are as a result of excellent police work conducted by our Detectives,” says Insp. Scott Findlay. “Canadians lose millions of dollars each year to fraud, and we intend to do our part to hold criminals accountable.”
Joyce is facing the following criminal charges:
Extortion Sec 346(1.1)(b) CCC
Personation With Intent To Gain Advantage Sec 403(1)(a) CCC (x3 counts)
Identity Theft Sec 402.2(1) CCC
Possession of Stolen Property Sec 355 CCC
Possession of Identity Document Without Lawful Excuse Sec 56.1(1) CCC (x5 counts)
His next appearance is May 26, 2021 at 9am at North Vancouver Provincial Court.
