Federal police last month arrested a man in Richmond, B.C., who had been using an ID counterfeiting machine to create fake IDs.
Police said they found stolen credit cards and fake permanent resident cards, high-end computers, printers, and coating equipment at the man’s home.
Among the items seized were thousands of identity card templates that can be used to print driver’s licenses in Ontario, Alberta, and Washington.
The police said the suspects used expensive printers and coating machines worth 5,000 dollars each and forged ID cards so sophisticatedly that ordinary people could easily be fooled.
According to the police investigation, forgers often stole documents containing personal information from household trash and recyclables, and then used these images and information to forge ID cards.
Police warned that counterfeiters could use fake IDs to obtain personal credit as well as mortgages, as well as purchase luxuries such as cars and expensive watches.
The man is now released on bail and is being investigated on parole pending conviction of the crime. The suspect’s identity has not been released.