The Alberta RCMP Auto Theft Unit completed a multi-year investigation into a vehicle theft and automotive fraud ring that began in June 2024 when the individual believed to be heavily responsible for driving auto theft in Alberta was identified.
Over the course of two years, the RCMP Auto Theft Unit identified a network of individuals involved in illegal activities spanning Canada and abroad. This group was involved in vehicle theft, re-vining motor vehicles, reselling across Canada and exporting stolen vehicles overseas, insurance fraud, and other criminal offences related to organized crime.
Several investigations stemmed from the initial probe into this criminal organization, leading to multiple arrests and charges. In July 2025, an individual was arrested for offences related to registering fraudulent VINs on stolen vehicles, with more than 20 fraudulent registrations linked to him.
GC Surplus entered into numerous contracts with Penny Metal recycling to dispose decommissioned RCMP vehicles starting in the spring of 2025 for the destruction of 950 vehicles. At the time the contracts were awarded, there were no indication that the vehicles would be handled contrary to the terms of the disposal agreements.
In November 2025, investigators entered into an investigation after discovering that this group had received potentially hundreds of government vehicles that were slated for disposal under false pretences. Instead, the vehicles were exported or resold within Canada despite being intended for salvage.
Between December 2025 and March 2026, multiple search warrants were executed. Evidence was obtained supporting allegations of fraud, vehicle theft, and re-vining. Several stolen vehicles were recovered, and more than four million illegal cigarettes, with an illicit value of over $1 million, a legitimate value of $3.7 million dollars and a deferred tax value of $400,000.00 were seized.
Ultimately, excluding the vehicles fraudulently obtained from the government, investigators connected more than 80 stolen, fraudulently obtained, or illegally exported vehicles to this criminal enterprise during the investigation. The estimated value of these vehicles was approximately $6 million.
As a result of the investigation, five individuals have been arrested and charged.
Mohamed Mark Hajar (41), a resident of Edmonton, has been charged with:
- Trafficking in property obtained by crime (x11)
- Smuggling – Customs Act (x8)
Hajar was issued a summons to appear in court on Nov 16. 2026.
Peter Huy Nguyen (41), a resident of Edmonton, has been charged with:
- Possession of stolen property over $5000.
Nguyen has been released for Alberta Court of Justice in Edmonton on Nov. 16, 2026.
Jamal Andy Ghnaim (34), a resident of St. Albert, Alta., has been charged with:
- Theft over $5000
- Obtain property under a false pretence
- Traffic in property obtained by crime
- Fraud over $5000
Ghnaim has been released for Alberta Court of Justice in Edmonton on Nov. 16, 2026.
Ghassan Fayad (47) a resident of Edmonton has been charged with:
- Possession of unstamped tobacco
Ghassan Fayad has been released from custody to appear in court at a later date.
Hamzee Fayad (41) a resident of Edmonton has been charged with:
- Possession of unstamped tobacco
Hamzee Fayad has been released from custody to appear in court at a later date.
The individual with whom the investigation began is pre-deceased in advanced of laying charges and therefore will not be named; however, police had gathered evidence and intended to lay charges for the following. This individual was heavily involved in organized crime in Canada for well over a decade and died as a result of criminality.
- Possession of property obtained by crime (x9)
- Possession of property obtained by crime for trafficking (x2)
- Smuggling (x14)
- Trafficking stolen property (x3)
- Fraudulent concealment (x3)
- Fraud over $5000 (x2)
- Money laundering
- Theft over $5000
- False Pretences
“This group was responsible for driving a significant portion of the market for stolen vehicles in Alberta over the past several years, impacting insurance rates across the province and causing significant harm to our communities,” said S/Sgt Luke Halvorson of the Alberta RCMP. “Removing these individuals from the streets will have a positive impact on our communities and deal a significant blow to the criminal enterprises they supported through their activities.”
This was an extensive and lengthy investigation, and we would like to acknowledge the partnerships with Central Alberta District Crime Reduction Unit, Edmonton Police Service, Criminal Intelligence Service Alberta, CBSA, BC Integrated Municipal Provincial Auto Crime Team and RCMP Federal Policing Northwest Region.
Fraser Logan, Alberta RCMP Media Relations Manager
