Several Edmonton tow truck companies charged with fraudulent billing
After a 10-month investigation, several local tow truck companies have been charged with fraud.
On Wednesday, police announced that 11 owners and 10 local companies were charged in relation to a police investigation last summer into fraudulent bills sent to insurance companies.
In July 2024, police discovered that numerous tow truck companies in Edmonton were reportedly fraudulently billing insurance companies for services that weren't provided, said police in a news release.
Police said businesses were allegedly inflating bills and charging upwards of $5,000 for a basic collision tow that typically would only cost a few hundred dollars.
Police said they estimate the 10 companies have fraudulently billed insurance companies for more than $120,000.
Police are continuing to investigate other possible tow truck companies for reports of fraud.
'Fraud through direct billing to an insurance company can be especially difficult for the policy holder to notice,' said Det. Bryan Niehaus with the EPS investigation response team in a news release.
Investigators believe the business owners have no professional relationship with one another.
Over the last three months, police have charged:
Mostafa Khalaf, 28, of AMK Towing
Madlool Traim, 52, of Avenue Towing
Mahmoud El Annan, 42, of Discount Towing Ltd.
Parminder Swatch, 46 and Ravinder Toor, 51, of Edmonton Towing Services
Mehdi El Alouanne, 41, of Infinity Towing and Recovery Services Corp.
Mahmoud Mahdaoui, 42, of My Big Tow Inc.
Hasan Al-Adhban, 49, of Same Boss Towing Ltd.
Sukhijinder Singh, 38, of TBT Towing Ltd.
Ahmed Ait Rais, 38, of Unlimited Towing and Recovery Service Ltd.
Rojan Sivarajah, 35, of 2652736 Alberta Inc.
Police said court dates have taken place in May.
'It is always best to contact your insurance provider for a complete invoice of services after using a tow truck company. As always, motorists have the right to choose their tow truck provider and should not feel obligated to accept services at the scene of a collision,' said Niehaus.
Woman charged in 2023 crash that left tow truck driver with 'life altering' injuries: RCMP
Tow truck company owner charged after car stolen at crash site: Edmonton police
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