BREAKING NEWS: Two Montreal-based car rental companies, Citycar Rental and Coudicar Rental, along with their owner, Habib Coudsi, are facing serious allegations of running a multimillion-dollar luxury car theft network. New court filings reveal a sophisticated scheme involving the theft and export of nearly 200 vehicles valued at over $9 million.
The claims, filed by Quebec’s attorney general, assert that this alleged operation has been active since at least June 2021. Investigators suggest that Coudsi and alleged accomplice Yaacoub Sarraf orchestrated the fraud, moving stolen luxury cars through Quebec to ship them overseas. Authorities have identified multiple warehouse sites linked to the network, with a garage in Saint-Michel cited as the primary hub for these activities.
Documents indicate that the operation utilized fraudulently obtained credit cards to acquire high-end vehicles from businesses across Quebec and Ontario. Police disclosed that they found car key fob programming devices in the garage, tools commonly associated with vehicle theft. According to the filings, Coudsi allegedly coordinated the transport of stolen vehicles to the port for international shipment, laundering the proceeds through the rental companies.
Montreal police have been actively investigating the network, which reportedly led to the recovery of at least 70 vehicles at the port. Additionally, officers discovered significant amounts of cash and luxury items at Coudsi’s residence, suggesting a lifestyle inconsistent with his declared income. The attorney general’s office is seeking to confiscate Coudsi’s home, the garage, and all seized assets as part of their civil lawsuits.
As of now, the allegations remain unproven in court, and no criminal charges have been filed against Coudsi or any other individuals in the case. The civil lawsuits are currently pending, leaving the fate of the accused and the future of these car rental companies uncertain.
This developing story highlights the urgent need for heightened scrutiny in the car rental industry as authorities grapple with rising incidents of sophisticated fraud. Stay tuned for more updates as this situation unfolds and the investigation progresses.
