The Société de l’assurance automobile du Québec is investigating a fraud that would allow students to obtain a probationary driver’s license without ever setting foot in a classroom, in exchange for a sum of up to $ 2,000.
The Journal learned that a fraud has been circulating on the Snapchat social network since last month. Internet users publish offers on this platform to obtain a license with, it seems, the complicity of driving schools.
Before obtaining a probationary license, it is normally necessary to obtain a learner’s license and successfully complete a driving course.
Students must also pass theoretical exams.
But small fraudsters suggest to young people on Snapchat never to take their courses, which are however compulsory in Quebec. In exchange, they ask them between $ 1,500 and $ 2,000,
As a bonus, the answers to the various theoretical tests, including that of the SAAQ, are given to customers.
Investigation in progress
“For us, it’s zero tolerance and we take it very, very seriously,” says Mario Vaillancourt, spokesperson for the SAAQ. We are in the process of investigating and examining the situation with the schools concerned with the Association québécoise des transports. We have a lot of resources to find cheaters too. “
“For $ 1,500, you don’t worry about lessons, it’s the office that signs everything and takes care of the papers. We even give you the answers to the exams if necessary, ”we can read on one of the Snapchat publications. These normally go away after 24 hours … unless someone downloads them.
The price for a driving course is just over $ 900 in Quebec schools.
Our representative contacted one of the people who sell this service by text message incognito. She did not want to identify herself and refused to speak to us on the phone.
“If you’re ready, you’ve got some cash, I’ll meet you next week.” Quick, because I have too many people asking me at the moment, ”writes the fraudster.
He suddenly stopped writing to us when The newspaper asked for the names of the driving schools that were at the heart of this fraud scheme.
“We are aware of the event and a report has indeed been drawn up. However, for the sake of confidentiality, we will not comment further, ”indicates the Montreal Police Department.
According to our information, the complaint was lodged by a driving school located in Ville Saint-Laurent and whose name was mentioned on Snapchat publications made by the fraudsters.
Contacted about this, the owner of the school in question said he was “in shock”. He then refused our interview request out of “fear of reprisal”.
The SAAQ tells the Journal that 700 checks were carried out in 2020 in driving schools in Quebec. Nine of them were sanctioned for various breaches.
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