On Dec. 11, Grande Prairie RCMP conducted an investigation into a fraudulent online transaction in which a subject used another person’s credit cards and identification documents to purchase items online. 

Subsequent to the investigation on Dec. 14, Grande Prairie RCMP, with the assistance from Grande Prairie Crime Reduction Unit, and RCMP Police Dog Services, executed a search warrant at a residence in Grande Prairie.   

As a result, the following items were seized by police: 

  • Identification, debit/credit cards, social insurance numbers belonging to other individuals 
  • Laptops, scanners, ID lamination sheets, laminator, printer and photo paper believed to be used for creating documents 
  • Break in tools 
  • Forged cheques and identity documents 
  • Fraudulently purchased items, including the credit card and status card used 

Austin Haynes, 23, of Grande Prairie was arrested at the residence and has been charged with the following: 

  • Fraud less than $5000 
  • Use/traffic a forged document 
  • Illegal possession/trafficking in government documents 
  • Theft/forgery/misuse of credit card 
  • Make/sell/possess instrument’s for making a forged document 
  • Possess break-in instruments 
  • Possession of property obtained by crime less than $5000 
  • Forgery 
  • Identity fraud 
  • Identity theft 

Haynes is scheduled to appear in Grande Prairie Provincial Court on Feb. 3, 2021. 

Information provided by the Alberta RCMP.