Calgary police have charged two people after an investigation uncovered an alleged scheme in which vehicles were fraudulently obtained from a local dealership using bad cheques and then resold to unsuspecting buyers.
Investigators say that between September and December 2025, a representative of Open Road Motors used company cheques totalling $322,000 to acquire the vehicles from another dealership.
The cheques were later returned for non‑sufficient funds, and several of the vehicles were then sold to other dealerships and private buyers, according to investigators.
Police allege some of the private sales were arranged through Facebook Marketplace using fake accounts under the names “Rick Stratz” and “Lucy Yotagri,” which were used to advertise the vehicles, communicate with buyers and direct payment.
Following a joint investigation by the Calgary Police Service and the Alberta Motor Vehicle Industry Council (AMVIC), two people are now facing charges.
Ryan David Wittenberg, 51, has been charged with 13 offences, including six counts of fraud over $5,000, one count of obtaining property by false pretences over $5,000, five counts of trafficking in property obtained by crime, and one count of using a forged document.
Albany Uribe, 41, faces eight charges, including two counts of fraud over $5,000, two counts of trafficking in property obtained by crime, two counts of possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000, and two counts of using a forged document.
Both have been released on conditions and are scheduled to appear in court in April.
Anyone with information about the case is asked to contact Calgary police at 403‑266‑1234 or submit anonymous tips to Crime Stoppers.