BREAKING: Two Montreal-based car rental companies are at the center of a shocking fraud and luxury car theft investigation, with allegations of orchestrating a scheme worth more than $9 million. Civil filings reveal that Citycar Rental and Coudicar Rental, along with owner Habib Coudsi, are accused of running an international operation that moved high-end vehicles through Quebec before shipping them overseas.
The Quebec attorney general has named these companies in court documents detailing a sophisticated network allegedly led by businessman Yaacoub Sarraf. Investigators assert that Coudsi and Sarraf utilized fraudulently obtained credit cards and business accounts to acquire luxury cars from dealers in Quebec and Ontario, leading to a major inquiry that has been underway since June 2021.
Authorities have uncovered a garage linked to the two rental firms, which is believed to serve as the operational hub for this extensive scheme. Inside, police discovered multiple car key fob programming devices, frequently associated with vehicle theft, raising serious concerns about the scale of the operation.
According to the allegations, Coudsi was responsible for arranging the transport of stolen or fraudulently acquired vehicles to the port, where they were then shipped abroad. Investigators estimate that nearly 200 vehicles passed through seven warehouse sites connected to the network. Of these, at least 70 vehicles were recovered at the port.
In a troubling twist, officers found large sums of cash and luxury items at Coudsi’s residence, suggesting a lifestyle inconsistent with his reported income. The attorney general’s office argues that these assets were likely purchased with the proceeds of crime or were used for criminal activity.
As part of the civil lawsuits, authorities are seeking to confiscate Coudsi’s home, the Saint-Michel garage, and any other assets linked to this alleged operation. While the claims remain unproven in court, the investigation highlights the ongoing challenges posed by sophisticated car theft methods that evade detection for years.
For now, the civil cases are pending, and Coudsi, along with others named, has not faced any criminal charges. However, the implications of this investigation are significant, raising questions about the integrity of the car rental industry and the mechanisms of organized crime in Quebec.
Stay tuned for updates as this story develops.
