Date: October 1, 2026
Reporter: Emilly Jordan
Four people have been arrested and charged following a Peel Regional Police investigation into an alleged vehicle-registration fraud scheme that investigators say was linked to more than $100,000 in unpaid Highway 407 ETR tolls.
Police also recovered 10 stolen vehicles that had allegedly been re-vinned, with a combined estimated value of approximately $750,000. The investigation, known as Project Octane, began in May 2026 and focused on suspected fraudulent documents used at several ServiceOntario locations.
Investigators from the Peel Regional Police Commercial Auto Crime Bureau worked with the Ontario Ministry of Transportation and 407 ETR to examine suspected fraud involving vehicle registrations, licence plates and documents submitted during transactions at ServiceOntario.
According to police, further investigation found that some licence plates had been registered to fictitious companies. Investigators allege that the arrangement allowed people using the plates to avoid being held responsible for toll and parking charges while accumulating more than $100,000 in unpaid 407 ETR fees.
Police said the investigation also uncovered 10 vehicles that had been re-vinned and confirmed as stolen. Re-vinning generally involves altering or replacing identifying information associated with a vehicle in an attempt to conceal its true identity or history.
The four people arrested in connection with the investigation are facing multiple charges.
Haroon Qayumzada, 31, of Caledon, has been charged with fraud over $5,000 and three counts of using forged documents.
Gajan Karunanithy, 35, of Brampton, is charged with possession of property obtained by crime and two counts of using forged documents.
Tariq Hameed, 53, of Milton, is facing a charge of using forged documents, while Ismail Ismail, 37, of Toronto, is also charged with using forged documents.
Police said the investigation involved cooperation between several agencies. Funding from the Ontario government and Ministry of the Solicitor General supported the investigation, while Criminal Intelligence Service Ontario also assisted through its involvement in the project.
Peel Regional Police Deputy Chief Nick Milinovich said the investigation demonstrated how fraudulent use of public systems can make it more difficult to hold individuals accountable for vehicle-related offences and unpaid fees.
“This investigation exposed a scheme designed to exploit public systems and shield suspects from accountability,” Milinovich said in a statement. He added that recovering the 10 stolen vehicles demonstrated the value of cooperation between police and partner agencies.
Police said vehicle theft has declined substantially in Peel Region from its peak in 2023. According to figures released with the investigation, vehicle thefts across the region had fallen by more than 50 per cent since that peak. As of June 30, 2026, vehicle thefts were down 10 per cent compared with the same period in 2025.
Despite the recovery of the 10 vehicles and the four arrests, Project Octane remains an active investigation. Police have not indicated that the four accused are the only people who may have been involved.
The charges and allegations have not been proven in court. The accused are entitled to due process, and a charge is not a finding of guilt.
Peel Regional Police are asking anyone with additional information about the alleged vehicle-registration fraud scheme to contact investigators with the Commercial Auto Crime Bureau at 905-453-2121, extension 3313.
The investigation highlights the connection between vehicle theft, fraudulent registration documents and unpaid toll accounts, as police and government agencies continue efforts to identify vehicles that have been stolen and prevent fraudulent registration practices from being used to conceal responsibility for their use.