Manitoba Public Insurance is working towards protecting Manitobans from losing money to criminal operators. 

"We're taking decisive action to crack down on illegal motor vehicle dealers," said Tara Seel, MPI spokesperson. "That's what we call 'curbers'. They are individuals who are illegally selling vehicles. They don't have a dealer permit and are selling more than four per year."

While dealers are required to keep records of the vehicles they buy and sell, 'curbers' are not monitored. This can result in customers purchasing vehicles with rolled-back odometers, undisclosed previous collision histories, cloned Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs), and other concerns that are hidden from buyers. 

Last year, MPI's vehicle safety team contacted curbers to educate them as to what was needed to sell more than four vehicles in a year. A notice was sent to Mohamad Kasem, who was arrested on 68 charges related to fraud, after a large-scale operation known as 'Buyer Bee Aware'. 

In February, 30 letters were sent to 'curbers' and 30 more have been identified, and soon will be getting notices.

"So far this year, we have handed out four Provincial Offence Notices. Those carry a fine more than $2,500, so it's quite hefty," ended Seel. "That fine can escalate if the curbers continue to sell illegally."

MPI has identified a long list of individuals and businesses that have been sanctioned. That list can be found here.