Air Canada’s “negligence” enabled a spectacular gold and banknote theft in Toronto in April, American security giant Brink’s claims in a recent lawsuit filed in federal court.
The brazen scam, which made headlines at home and abroad, allowed its perpetrator to seize 400 kilograms (nearly 900 pounds) of gold bars worth $20.3 million and banknotes worth $2.6 million .
Not the right document
By presenting a “fraudulent” document, an “unidentified individual” managed to commit the theft of nearly $23 million, Brink’s claims in its lawsuit.
The person showed up at the Air Canada cargo warehouse at Toronto Pearson Airport around 6:30 p.m. on April 17 and handed the airline’s employees in Montreal “a copy of an air waybill for an unrelated shipment” as well as gold bars and banknotes, it said in the lawsuit.
“Upon receipt of the fraudulent receipt, Air Canada employees handed over the shipments to the unknown individual, who then fled with the goods,” says Brink’s.
“Air Canada accepted the fraudulent receipt from the unknown person without verifying the authenticity of the document in any way,” complains the American company.
Always at sea
To date, no arrests have been made in this case and the supplies have still not been found.
Brink’s says it demanded “full reimbursement” from Air Canada for losses and damages incurred, a request that went unheeded.
Brink’s points out that it chose Air Canada Cargo’s “AC Sûreté” service, which promises “additional security measures” at an additional cost to the shipper.
The gold bars belonged to Swiss refiner Valcambi, which is owned by Indian jewelry giant Rajesh Exports.
Gold bars produced by Valcambi. Photo from Valcambi website
The banknotes belonged to the Swiss financial cooperative Raffeisen.
The cargo was traveling on board Air Canada Flight 881 on a Boeing 777 between Zurich and Toronto. The plane landed in the Canadian metropolis a few hours before the crime.
“As this is a matter that is before the courts, we will not be commenting,” Air Canada said in an email to the Journal on Thursday.