A Cobourg police investigation into alleged identity fraud has led to charges against two people following a traffic stop last week.
Police say the investigation began after a resident was alerted to suspicious financial activity and discovered their identity had allegedly been used without permission.
Investigators determined a woman allegedly used forged identification to open a bank account in the victim’s name in July, then returned in August to apply for a credit card using fraudulent documents.
On Sept. 4, officers stopped a vehicle believed to be connected to the investigation. A 56-year-old Pickering woman and 44-year-old Hamilton man were arrested without incident.
Police say a search of the vehicle uncovered forged documents, bank records, a passport bearing the victim’s name and suspected opiates.
Both were charged with fraud not exceeding $5,000. The woman faces several additional charges, including identity theft, identity fraud, forgery and possession of a forged passport and suspected opiates.
She was released on an undertaking and is scheduled to appear in court at a later date. The man was held for a bail hearing.
(Richard Evans)
