The Calgary Police Service is warning County residents about an online fraud involving the sale of high-end vehicles.
Twice in the month of July, two people in Calgary purchased vehicles from a company going by the name of Maynard Motors, on the website maynardmotorsmidvale.com
This company claims to be based out of Midvale, Utah, U.S.A., which is the same location as a legitimate dealership named Midvale Motors.
Upon purchase of the vehicle, buyers are required to wire transfer half the cost of the vehicle before they will be shipped.
The buyer is then informed that there are problems with customs and they must pay the remaining balance before customs will release the vehicles because otherwise there would be a lien - a form of security interest granted over an item of property to secure the payment on it.
Once the victim sends the final payment, the buyer no longer hears from the company, or are able to reach them through any of the previous contact information.
In both cases the victims were speaking with a man who claimed his name was Alvin Mendoza. Investigators believe this to be a false name and caution the public to avoid making a deal with anyone from Maynard Motors, even if they go by a different name.
Combined, the two recent Calgary victims have lost more than $130,000.
The investigation continues and detectives are working with authorities in the U.S.A. to trace the origins of the company. Officials are warning the public to avoid purchasing vehicles from Maynard Motors, at the website maynardmotorsmidvale.com
