Online counterfeit licence plate business tied to crimes across Canada: Cops
· Toronto Sun
Two Hamilton brothers are accused of running an online counterfeit licence plate operation linked to dozens of criminal investigations.
Peel Regional Police alleged Wednesday that investigating officers from Road Safety Services (RSS) identified “a registered online business” that was “knowingly” producing and selling counterfeit licence plates for use on vehicles.
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“Following a lengthy investigation, RSS members executed a search warrant on April 7,” police said, explaining officers attended two Hamilton addresses and arrested two suspects “without incident.”
Avery Macleod-Nolk, 28, and Tyler Matthew Macleod, 27, were charged with unlawfully making marks, selling or possessing counterfeit marks, affixing a mark and possession of property obtained by crime.
The accused siblings were both released on an undertaking.
“Counterfeit licence plates pose a serious threat to public safety,” Deputy Chief Marc Andrews said. “This investigation underscores the strong collaboration between our specialized units and frontline officers, and our shared commitment to identifying those responsible and holding them fully accountable.”
During the execution of the search warrants, investigators seized items allegedly used to produce and distribute counterfeit licence plates, including cash, plate-pressing equipment, fraudulent blank plates from multiple jurisdictions, promotional materials, vehicles and other related items.
Plates used in offences across country
Police claim these counterfeit licence plates have been used in numerous offences across Canada – including more than 30 in Ontario – involving fraud, organized auto theft, violence and firearms.
In one incident, police allege a male operating a stolen vehicle equipped with these counterfeit plates fled from police while impaired before crashing on Dixie Rd. around 8 a.m. on on June 12, 2025.
“The individual was subsequently arrested after attempting to take control of another vehicle,” police said.
Investigators had some of the seized evidence on display at Peel Regional Police Headquarters during a news conference on Wednesday.
“This organization did operate quite overtly, both in their online store and the temporary sales booths that they set up as well,” Det.-Const. Philip Menecola alleged.
He said the fake licence plates are made of materials that are “readily available” and the finished product is “quite indistinguishable” from a legitimate licence plate.
“One of the main focuses of shutting down this organization was also to shut down the crime associated with these licence plates,” Menecola said.
He also pointed out that only provincial government agencies can legally issue licence plates, including vanity plates, in Canada.
“To my knowledge, this is the first in peel of this type of investigation,” Menecola added.
Anyone with information regarding this investigation is asked to call Road Safety Services at 905-453-2121, ext. 3750, or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).