Richmond RCMP Organized Crime Unit execute a search warrant on an alleged sophisticated identification forgery lab in a residence in Richmond.

On December 22, 2022, Richmond RCMP Economic Crime Unit (ECU) and Drug Target Team executed a search warrant at a residence of a suspected forgery lab. Upon entering, officers discovered evidence consistent with a sophisticated forged identification lab.

Items seized during the search included:

High end printers and laminators including those capable of forging security features in governmental identification;

Thousands of blank identification cards;

Numerous electronic devices and computers;

Stolen mail and documents belonging to third parties.

"Anyone who has ever been the victim of identity theft knows how awful and violating it can be to figuratively have ‘you’ stolen. There are many levels to identity theft starting with mail containing personal information being stolen to fake identities being made and sold to other people. It is an intricate and complicated web often with links to organized crime," says Inspector Michael Cohee, Officer-in-charge of Investigative Services, "Identity theft is a type of fraud. According to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre over $383 million was lost to fraud in 2021 alone. This is a staggering amount of money. As police, we see the faces of the victims and the devastating impact it can have on them. From education to enforcement, like this investigation, we are doing everything we can to protect our community."

A man was arrested and released on conditions, pending further investigation.

Richmond RCMP ECU and Drug Target Team have conduct of this investigation.