Two men face more than 150 charges combined in connection with an extensive $2.1 million car theft scheme that police say was carried out from a Toronto car dealership.

Wednesday, authorities revealed the results of Project Wardenwhich was released in August 2024.

Investigators learned that two suspects, who were employed at a Toronto car dealership, used their roles to purchase and sell stolen cars to unsuspecting customers.

Police said the vehicles would be purchased from a number of companies, some owned by the two accused, who allegedly used funds from the Toronto car dealership. The two men are said to have created what authorities called “fictitious sales agreements” using altered vehicle identification numbers (VINs).

The accused would change then Carfax reports that matched fraudulent information about the vehicle, tricking buyers into thinking it was legitimate.

The stolen cars were to be delivered to the buyer, with many later realizing that the vehicle’s VIN did not match the car they had bought from the two accused. Police noted that in some cases, some of the cars were falsely registered to people who were not listed on the sales documents.

TPS said investigators are looking into a possible connection to a car theft ring that authorities busted in June 2024 which involved a ServiceOntario employee allegedly falsifying documents to make stolen vehicles appear legitimate.

Two men linked to 22 fraudulent car sales

On Monday, October 21, 2024, members of the Toronto Police Service (TPS) executed search warrants on residences, commercial garages and vehicles, with investigators locating and recovering two suspected “re-sold” cars.

TPS said the two men were connected to 22 fraudulent car sales made under the guise of employees at the Toronto dealership.

“These initiatives have resulted in more than a dozen arrests, more than 100 charges filed and the recovery of more than 100 stolen vehicles, marking significant progress in our fight against auto theft,” said Detective Dan Kraehling.

On Wednesday, the accused were identified as Harris Bocknek, 35, of Barrie, and Fadi Zeto, 32, of Mississauga. The two men face multiple criminal charges, including multiple counts of forgery, uttering forged documents, fraud over $5,000 and trafficking in property obtained by crime over $5,000, among other related offenses.

Zeto was scheduled to appear in court on Tuesday, October 22, 2024, while Bocknek’s appearance is scheduled for Tuesday, December 17, 2024.

Kraehling said during Wednesday’s news conference that other employees at the car dealership discovered the alleged criminal activity and contacted authorities.

Police have released Zeto’s image in hopes that more alleged victims of auto fraud will come forward.

“The purpose of Project Warden was to locate and arrest the individuals responsible for the trafficking of stolen vehicles in the City of Toronto,” said Kraehling. “We believe there are more victims. If you recognize Mr. Zeto and have sold him a vehicle, please contact the 53rd Division at 416-808-5306.”