Calgary police lay 350 charges against three people in fraud scheme

Three people are facing more than 350 criminal charges and were arrested on more than 50 outstanding warrants, Calgary police said Monday, for their involvement in fraud connected to rental properties and stolen identification throughout the province.

Police say the investigation began in 2022 when officers found a fake document making lab which had credit card embossers, scanners, electronics and ledgers.

This evidence led investigators to use search warrants on several storage lockers where boxes of tax documents, mail and identification cards were found.

Investigators say none of the items found belonged to those associated with the storage locker.

At that time, Calgary police laid 49 charges against one person connected to the frauds, but they didn’t show up for any of their court dates.

In December 2023, a social media post was issued by police in an attempt to find the suspect, who was wanted on warrants for failing to appear in court.

Multiple tips from the public following the social media post led police to believe the woman was still committing fraud, investigators say.

Police believe most of the stolen identity documents, which included Social Insurance Numbers (SINs), Alberta health care numbers, and tax documents, were taken during storage locker break-and-enters.

The personal informatio, which affected as many as 50 victims, was then used to apply for fraudulent credit cards, which were used for online purchases.

The fake IDs were also allegedly used for rental applications, on both homes and storage lockers, which were paid for usinf fake credit cards and stolen cheques.

On Thursday Jan. 11, 2024, police searched a home on Panora Way NW, where three people were arrested.

Inside the home, police found equipment that suggested an fraudulent ID and credit card lab, which included credit card scanners, an embosser, computers, printers and numerous pieces of identification believed to be stolen.

Police also believe the Panora home had been rented by falsifying the application. More charges were laid following an investigation which seized evidence from the Panora Way residence.

Bridget Ann Aamot is charged with 165 new charges, including fraud-related charges and 86 counts of failing to comply with the conditions of undertakings. The 37-year-old was released from custody and is set to appear in court on Thursday, Feb. 8.

Duane Douglas Phillips, 48, is charged with 74 fraud-related charges, and will be in court on Thursday, Feb. 8.

Mandy Betty Adeline Bredlaw is charged with 113 offences, including fraud-related charges and two counts of breach of a conditional sentence order.

The 38-year-old was released from custody and will appear in court on Tuesday, Feb. 27.