EDMONTON, ALBERTA -- (Marketwire) -- 07/10/12 -- An Alberta Motor Vehicle Industry Council (AMVIC) investigation has resulted in a 21-month prison sentence for an Alberta man who represented himself as the owner of a legitimate automotive/RV consignment business. The man has also been ordered by the court to pay back $102,000 in restitution to his victims.
Roland Jonas, owner of Save Coupon Advertising Ltd. which operated as RV Marketing, pleaded guilty in Edmonton provincial court on July 6, 2012 to nine counts of fraud over five thousand. In the "fraudulent" scheme, Jonas offered to sell recreational vehicles for private sellers under a consignment contract. Jonas sought out many of his victims from online automotive advertisements. AMVIC began investigating Jonas, who did not hold a provincial automotive business licence, after receiving complaints from consumers who had entered consignment agreements, but did not receive payment or return of their motor homes.
Charges were laid against Jonas in December of 2009, but he evaded arrest until February 2012.
"An unlicensed business is not a safe choice for consumers who want an industry professional help to sell their recreational vehicle," said John Bachinski, Executive Director of AMVIC. "We recommend consumers check AMVIC's website www.amvic.org first, to confirm that a consignment business holds the proper provincial business licence. Dealing with an AMVIC-licensed business gives consumers the added protection of a compensation fund to turn to if a business closes its doors. There are many AMVIC licensed consignment dealers in the province who are well trained and will provide consumers with reliable and excellent service."
AMVIC is a not-for-profit organization delegated by the provincial government to regulate the automotive industry in Alberta.
Contacts:
Alberta Motor Vehicle Industry Council
John Bachinski
Executive Director
(780) 462-0860
jbachinski@amvic.org