In December of last year the Cranbrook RCMP initiated a fraud investigation in relation to local business owners who noted irregularities with their natural gas bills.

The resulting police investigation determined that these businesses had either the owner’s signatures or an employee’s signature forged on a contract with Active Energy, or Active Renewable Marketing Ltd., an independent gas marketer licensed by the BC Utilities Commission.

FortisBC is the supplier of natural gas to the area. As a result of these forged contracts Active Marketing Ltd. or Active Energy is listed on invoices/bills sent out by FortisBC.

The Cranbrook RCMP investigation has identified two suspects who were not direct employees of either FortisBC or Active Energy but were sub-contracted agents working on commission.

In their continuing investigation, the Cranbrook RCMP sent out close to 90 letters to Cranbrook and Kimberley businesses asking them to review their natural gas bills and to contact their local RCMP if they note any irregularities in those bills. To date, the Cranbrook RCMP have confirmed 25 forged contracts and are looking into criminal charges of Uttering Forged Document against the two suspects.

If anyone has any additional information about this or any other crime they can call the Cranbrook RCMP at 250-489-3471 or East Kooteney Crimestoppers (1-800-222-TIPS).

Cpl P.E. (Pat) Prefontaine

Cranbrook RCMP

Above image illustrative only

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