BREAKING: Two Montreal-based car rental companies, Citycar Rental and Coudicar Rental, along with their owner, Habib Coudsi, are facing serious allegations of operating an international luxury car theft and fraud scheme. According to new civil court filings by Quebec’s attorney general, the operation is estimated to involve nearly $9 million worth of stolen vehicles.
The investigation, which has been ongoing since June 2021, reveals a sophisticated network allegedly led by businessman Yaacoub Sarraf. Documents indicate that Coudsi orchestrated the theft and export of luxury vehicles using fraudulent credit cards and company accounts to acquire high-value goods from Quebec and Ontario.
Authorities report that the network moved approximately 200 vehicles through various warehouse sites before shipping them overseas. At least 70 vehicles have already been recovered at the port, highlighting the scale of the operation. Furthermore, investigators found multiple car key fob programming devices inside a garage linked to the rental companies, devices commonly associated with vehicle theft.
The civil lawsuit seeks to confiscate Coudsi’s home, the Saint-Michel garage, and other seized assets. The attorney general asserts that the property and goods found were either purchased with proceeds from crime or were instruments of criminal activity. The filings claim that these assets appear inconsistent with Coudsi’s reported income.
As the story develops, the court has yet to rule on the allegations, and no criminal charges have been laid against Coudsi or any other individuals involved. Montreal police continue to investigate this elaborate scheme that has cast a shadow over the car rental industry in the region.
This urgent situation raises concerns about the security of luxury vehicles and the methods criminals are employing to exploit rental services. With millions of dollars at stake, the implications extend beyond just the businesses involved, affecting consumer trust and safety in car rental practices.
Stay tuned for more updates as this case unfolds, with significant legal proceedings pending in Quebec’s civil courts. The outcome could reshape the landscape of car rental operations across Canada.
