18.37°C Vancouver

Apr 5, 2022 11:11 PM - Connect News

Multiple charges approved against alleged fraud ring in Richmond

Share On
multiple-charges-approved-against-alleged-fraud-ring-in-richmond
Richmond RCMP Economic Crime Unit (ECU) began their investigation in October 2020. (Photo - Richmond RCMP/Twitter)

Richmond RCMP Economic Crime Unit (ECU) began their investigation in October 2020. Over several months, Richmond ECU investigators collected evidence of alleged frauds being committed by four individuals, in multiple jurisdictions, including Richmond, Vancouver, Surrey, Langley, Cranbrook, Kamloops, Kelowna and Regina.

The investigation resulted in multiple search warrants being executed at locations allegedly connected to the fraud ring in Richmond and Vancouver.

I am extremely proud of the hard work and dedication the investigators from our Economic Crime Unit have demonstrated throughout the course of this investigation. I also want to thank all of the units from within Richmond Detachment as well as the Lower Mainland Emergency Response Team who assisted our Economic Crime Unit at various times throughout the investigation, says Inspector Michael Cohee, Officer-in-charge of Richmond RCMP Operations Support. The identification and subsequent charges against this group has resulted in a significant disruption of a prolific fraud, identity theft and property crime network operating in BC.

The Economic Crime Unit is part of the larger Richmond RCMP Organized Crime Unit, which is comprised of ECU, Drugs, Organized Crime Project Team and Criminal Intelligence.

The BC Prosecution Service has approved a total of 24 charges. The charges include fraud, forgery, possession of property obtained by crime and unauthorized possession of a firearm against one of the accused. Charged are:

Christopher Birkbeck of Surrey, BC

Michael Ridley of Ontario

Richard Yeltatzie of Richmond, BC

Ayron Borovic of Vancouver, BC

Richard Yeltatzie has also been charged with eight criminal code charges, including fraud, on another Richmond ECU file. In February 2020 Richmond Economic Crime Unit conducted an investigation where a residence was allegedly sold by fraudulent means unbeknownst to the homeowner. In this case, the BC Prosecution Service has approved eight charges against Richard Yeltatzie and three against a Kieran Yeltatzie.

Latest news

CanadaJul 28, 2025

3 arrested after early-morning stabbing in North Vancouver: police

Mounties in North Vancouver say three women have been arrested after two of them were injured in a stabbing resulting from a dispute. Police say the incident Saturday at 2:45 a-m saw officers respond to calls of a distraught woman at Lonsdale Quay. Officers arrived and found the injured victim, and the following investigation located two other women nearby on the second floor above the bus loop, one of whom also having similar injuries. Police say investigators have determined the three were involved in a dispute resulting in the assault, and all three women in their 20s have been ta
ndp-releases-official-rules-for-leadership-race-to-replace-singh
CanadaJul 25, 2025

NDP releases official rules for leadership race to replace Singh

The NDP has released the official rules for its leadership race, which include requirements that candidates gather specific numbers of signatures from supporters in diverse regional, racial and LGBTQ+ groups. At least 10 per cent of a candidate's signatures must come from young New Democrats aged 25 years or under. Candidates must also collect at least 50 signatures from each of five different regions in Canada — the Atlantic, Quebec, Ontario, the Prairies, and B.C. and the North. A new permanent leader to replace Jagmeet Singh will be chosen through a ranked ballot vote, allowing party memb
BCJul 25, 2025

Dogs, crews and helicopters being deployed to find missing B.C. hiker in Banff park

The search continues for a B.C. paramedic who has been missing since Wednesday while on a hike and was last seen in Banff National Park. Chad Singer, 42, of Radium, B.C., started his hike near the Aurora Creek trail, east of Radium Hot Springs. RCMP say he was last seen that afternoon in Marvel Pass in the national park. Police say the trail system can connect to trails near Marvel Lake and the trail network between Sunshine Mountain, Banff and Mount Shark in Kananaskis. RCMP spokeswoman Cpl. Gina Slaney says the Parks Canada Banff Field Unit is managing the search, which incl
seatbelt-safety-on-display-as-allegedly-impaired-williams-lake-man-crashes-on-police-video
BCJul 25, 2025

Seatbelt safety on display as allegedly impaired Williams Lake man crashes on police video

Two seatbelt tickets, a driving prohibition, and a bleeding scalp requiring stitches were the results of a strange crash in Williams Lake that could have been much worse. On July 20, 2025, at 3:00 p.m., a BC Highway Patrol officer on Mackenzie Avenue South saw both the driver of a white Ford F250 and the driver of a grey Toyota Camry without seatbelts. When the officer turned around to pull them over, the driver of the Toyota Camry collided into the rear of the Ford F250. The BC Highway Patrol officer started by checking the driver of the Toyota Camry. His head was bleeding liberally after sma
BCJul 25, 2025

Coquitlam RCMP searching for wanted male Christopher Ryan Becker

Coquitlam RCMP is asking for the public’s assistance in locating 33-year-old Christopher Ryan Becker who is unlawfully at large from a designated facility and wanted on a Form 49 Warrant of Committal. Becker was last seen on July 24, 2025, at approximately 5:30 p.m. in Coquitlam, British Columbia. Becker can be described as: • 33 years old; • 6’/183 cm in height; • Approximately 295 lbs/134 kg; • Brown eyes; • Stocky build; • Medium-length brown hair. Becker was last seen wearing a black sweater, blue shorts and orange sandals. Police are asking anyone who sees, may have

Related News