Tag: Fraud

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Police Press Releases Waterloo Regional Police

$1.4 Million Fraud – One Arrested

Waterloo Region, Ontario – Waterloo Regional Police Service has arrested and charged a male in connection to a large-scale investment fraud investigation.

In March 2023, investigators from WRPS’ General Investigations Unit – Commercial Fraud began an investigation into an ongoing investment fraud.

Throughout the 14-month-long investigation, WRPS investigators collaborated with other agencies, including the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (FINTRAC), and identified 23 victims from across Ontario who sustained losses of over $1.4 million.

On May 7, 2024, as a result of the investigation, police arrested and charged David Villanueva, a 62-year-old Guelph male, with:

  • Fraud Over $5,000
  • Make False Statement in Writing
  • Laundering Proceeds of Crime

The accused was held in police custody for a bail hearing.

Police believe there may be other victims and are asking anyone with information to contact police by calling 519-570-9777, extension 6420.

When making decisions regarding investing, Waterloo Regional Police Service encourages members of the public to consider the following to help prevent becoming a victim of fraud:

  • Be cautious of higher than normal returns on investments.
  • Research any investment opportunity you are considering, as well as the company or person you are dealing with.
  • Keep detailed records.
  • Check the legitimacy of the investment through regulatory sites.

For more information about fraud prevention, please visit the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at https://wrps.info/3TvkAuG.

WA23030916 (915) 

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Durham Regional Police Police Press Releases

Lakshanth SELVARAJAH & Akshayah THARMAKULENTHIRAN Arrested For Fraud

A male and female are facing 40 charges for fraud related offences targeting seniors in Durham Region.

On Thursday, April 4, 2024, members of the Financial Crimes Unit, with the assistance of York Regional Police, arrested a male and female after concluding an investigation into numerous fraud related offences that targeted seniors in Durham Region. 

Victims, including a 90-year-old couple, received phone calls from the suspects pretending to be their banking and credit card companies.  The victims were led to believe their accounts were compromised.  A courier was sent to the victim’s homes to retrieve their bank cards and passwords, which were then used for fraudulent purchases.

Lakshanth SELVARAJAH, age 27 from Ajax is charged with numerous offences including: Theft of Credit Card x6, Fraud Over $5000 x3, Fraud under $5000 x5, Unauthorized Use of Credit Card Data x8, Possess Credit Card Obtained by Crime x6, Possess Identity Info with Inference x3, and Possess Identity Document of Another.

Akshayah THARMAKULENTHIRAN, age 25 from Ajax is charged with numerous offences including: Fraud Over $5000 x2, Fraud Under $5000 x2, and Unauthorized Use of Credit Card Data x4.

Investigators have concerns there may be more victims.  Images of the accused parties can be viewed at www.drps.ca

Anyone with information about this or similar incidents is asked to contact D/Cst. Kane of the Financial Crimes Unit at 1-888-579-1520 ext. 5371.

Anonymous information can be sent to Durham Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or online at www.durhamregionalcrimestoppers.ca and tipsters may be eligible for a $2,000 cash reward.

The information in this media release contains facts and circumstances that have been obtained from a police investigation.  These allegations have yet to be proven in court. 

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Norfolk OPP Police Press Releases

Steven NAGY Was Arrested

(NORFOLK COUNTY, ON) – An individual has been charged following an investigation into a fraud at a local business.

At approximately 10:58 p.m. on Saturday, April 27, 2024, the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Norfolk County Detachment investigated a report of an unwanted person at an address on Queensway West in Simcoe, Norfolk County.

It was determined that a customer was unwilling to leave the premises and had also declined to pay for consumable goods.

As a result, the individual was taken into custody without incident.

Charged with the following alleged offences is 59-year-old Steven NAGY of Norfolk County:

  • Food and lodging fraud,
  • Fail to leave premises when directed.

The accused is scheduled to appear at the Ontario Court of Justice located in Simcoe on Tuesday, June 4, 2024.

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OPP Orillia Police Press Releases

Francesco (Frank) Benincasa Was Arrested

(ORILLIA, ON) – The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Anti-Rackets Branch (ARB) Economic Crimes and Corruption Unit has laid charges in a multi-jurisdictional fraud investigation.

In July 2018, the North Bay OPP Detachment received several fraud complaints in relation to a $6 million-dollar syndicated mortgage investment into BioNorth Technology Real Estate Ltd (2423704 Ontario Inc.), also operating as the BioNorth Tech Group. 

In January 2019, the OPP’s ARB Economic Crimes and Corruption Unit assumed the investigation due to its complex and multi-jurisdictional nature.

As a result of the investigation, police charged one person under the Criminal Code in connection with the investigation.

Francesco (Frank) Benincasa, age 59, of Concord, Ontario, has been charged with the following offences:

  • Fraud Over $5000
  • False Pretences
  • Use of a Forged Document

The accused was arrested on March 13, 2024, and was subsequently released from custody and is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in North Bay on April 30, 2024. 

According to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC), Canadians reported losing more than $568 million to frauds in 2023. It is estimated that only five to 10 per cent of victims report frauds to the CAFC or law enforcement.

Anyone who suspects they have been the victim of this or any fraud is urged to contact their local police, the OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or ontariocrimestoppers.ca. You can also report to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre’s online reporting system or by phone at 1-888-495-8501. For resources on scams and fraud, visit antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca.

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OPP Police Press Releases Toronto

Arrests Made In Covid-19 Debacle

(TORONTO, ON) – Members of the Serious Fraud Office for Ontario (SFO) have continued their investigation into individuals receiving small business relief funds through fraudulent means and have made two more arrests.

In fall 2020, the Ontario Government announced and began rolling out small business relief programs to assist small businesses with operating costs and loss of revenue due to mandatory COVID-19 pandemic closures. After reviewing the applications of two individuals from the Greater Toronto Area, the Ministry of Finance deemed them suspicious and referred them to the SFO for investigation.

It is alleged relief funding from the government was applied for through fictitious or ineligible businesses. In these cases, the grant found to be exploited was the COVID-19 Energy Cost Rebate program.

As a result of the investigation, two individuals have been arrested and charged with offences contrary to the Criminal Code:

Theophilus OGUNKUNLE, aged 51 years of Woodbridge, is charged with:

·      Fraud Over $5,000

·      Utter Forged Document

·      Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Over $5,000

Omolola OGUNKUNLE, aged 36 years of Woodbridge, is charged with:

·      Fraud Over $5,000

·      Utter Forged Document

·      Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Over $5,000

The accused have been released and are scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Newmarket on May 10, 2024.

The SFO will not comment further in order to protect the integrity of the investigation and court processes.

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Centre Of Wellington OPP Police Press Releases

$400,000 Fraud

(TOWNSHIP OF CENTRE WELLINGTON, ON) – Wellington County Ontario Provincial Police Major Crime Unit (OPP) has laid charges in a fraud that cost a Wellington North business nearly $400,000.

It was reported that several cheques were stolen in December 2022, and cashed illegally. As a result of the investigation, Istvan DOLANYI, 44-years-old of Richmond Hill, Klauidia FAJKO, 26years-old of Toronto, Anita LAKAI, 35-years-old of North York, Elemerne OLAH, 63-years-old of North York, and Geoffrey COWMAN, 69-years-old of Richmond, BC, have all been charged with Fraud Over $5000 contrary to the Criminal Code.

Anyone with any information related to this occurrence is asked to call investigators at 1-888-310-1122. Should you wish to remain anonymous; you may call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or submit a tip on-line at www.csgw.tips. You may be eligible for a reward from Crime Stoppers of up to $2,000.

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London Police Service Police Press Releases

Taylor Wade Evans Arrested For Theft & Fraud

LONDON, ON (April 8, 2024) – A London man has been charged after a stolen vehicle was located over the weekend.

On Saturday, April 6, 2024, at approximately 11:25 p.m., a citizen reported their vehicle stolen from the 400-block of Richmond Street.

Shortly after notifying police of the theft, the owner of the stolen vehicle was advised by their financial institution that their credit card was used fraudulently at a mini mart on Dundas Street.

Officers attended the business on Dundas Street, and a suspect was arrested.

A search incident to arrest yielded keys to the stolen vehicle and debit/credit cards belonging to the owner of the vehicle.

The stolen vehicle was located a short time later in a parking lot on Florence Street.

As a result of the investigation, Taylor Wade Evans, 33, of London, has been charged with the following offences:

  • Theft of motor vehicle;
  • Four (4) counts of theft of credit card;
  • Four (4) counts of possession of credit card;
  • Theft of property obtained by crime over $5000; and
  • Fraud under $5000. 

The accused appeared in London court on April 7, 2024, in relation to the charges.

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Alerts WFP

Negligence Unmasked: The Dark Truth About Police and Stolen Construction Machinery

(North Huron, On) When a police officer neglects their duty to report the theft of construction machinery, the repercussions can be severe and far-reaching. This act of negligence not only undermines the integrity of law enforcement but also has significant implications for the construction industry, the community, and the overall justice system.

One of the immediate consequences of a police officer failing to report stolen construction machinery is the lack of accountability for the crime. By not documenting and investigating the theft, the officer allows the perpetrator to escape justice and potentially commit further crimes. This sends a dangerous message that theft and criminal activity will go unchecked and unpunished, leading to a breakdown in law and order within the community.

Moreover, the absence of a police report on the stolen machinery hinders the chances of recovery and restitution for the victim. Without an official record of the theft, insurance claims may be denied, and the stolen equipment may never be recovered. This not only translates to financial losses for the construction company or individual owner but also contributes to a sense of insecurity and vulnerability among other businesses in the area.

Furthermore, the failure of a police officer to report stolen construction machinery can have detrimental effects on the construction industry as a whole. Construction sites are often targeted by thieves due to the high value of equipment and tools present. When law enforcement does not take swift and decisive action to address such crimes, it creates a climate of impunity that emboldens criminals to target construction sites more frequently, leading to disruptions in project timelines, increased costs, and decreased productivity.

The lack of police response to construction machinery theft also erodes public trust in law enforcement. The community relies on the police to protect their property and ensure their safety. When officers neglect their duties and fail to address criminal activities, it breeds skepticism and disillusionment among citizens, who may feel abandoned by those sworn to serve and protect them.

Moreover, the failure to report stolen construction machinery reflects poorly on the reputation of the police department and the criminal justice system as a whole. It raises concerns about issues of transparency, accountability, and professionalism within law enforcement, tarnishing the public image of the police and eroding confidence in their ability to uphold the law and provide justice.

In conclusion, when a police officer refuses to report stolen construction machinery, the negative consequences are numerous and profound. From lack of accountability for the crime and financial losses for the victim to increased insecurity in the community and diminished trust in law enforcement, the repercussions of such negligence extend beyond the immediate incident and have lasting impacts on society as a whole. It is imperative for police officers to uphold their duty to report and investigate crimes diligently to ensure that justice is served, and the safety and security of the community are maintained.

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Province Of Ontario WFP

Ford Offers $120 Million For “Mayors” To Play Along With Housing Crisis Caused By Excess Immigration

Thunder Bay — Today, Premier Doug Ford announced that Ontario will be providing Thunder Bay with $870,890 in funding through the Building Faster Fund as the city has exceeded its 2023 housing target, breaking ground on a total of 200 new housing units last year.

“Thunder Bay is getting it done on housing and we are proud to reward them for their success,” said Premier Doug Ford. “I’m so proud of Mayor Ken Boshcoff and his council colleagues for exceeding their housing targets last year. My challenge to Mayor Boshcoff and to every mayor in Ontario is to get even more homes built in the coming years so we can make life more affordable and keep the dream of homeownership alive for families across the province. We’ll be there to support you every step of the way.”

Announced in August 2023, the Building Faster Fund is a three-year, $1.2 billion program that is designed to encourage municipalities to address the housing supply crisis. The fund rewards municipalities that make significant progress against their targets by providing funding for housing-enabling and community-enabling infrastructure. Funding is provided to municipalities that have reached at least 80 per cent of their provincially assigned housing target for the year with increased funding for municipalities that exceed their target.

“The City of Thunder Bay is all in on new housing and is working hard to set the stage for additional housing development,” said Ken Boshcoff, Mayor of Thunder Bay. “The provincial recognition of Thunder Bay as one of the first cities to achieve its housing target is something of which we are immensely proud. These funds will allow our community to continue to grow, and will help provide the tools we need to build more homes faster.”

The Building Faster Fund includes $120 million for small, rural and northern municipalities to help build housing-enabling infrastructure and prioritize projects that speed up the increase of housing supply.

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Alerts WFP

Goderich Law Firm Banned Across Ontario : Illegal By-Law & For Profit Prosecutions #ItsTime #WinghamStrong

(Goderich, On) The Law Enforcement Complaints Agency (LECA) came into effect on 01April2024 to replace the OIRPD to ensure all law enforcement officers are held to account.

LECA’s new powers include investigating overreach and abuse complaints, even when the victims are unwilling or unable to stand up for themselves. This new power is to combat the illegal harassment and intimidation of Town Halls across Ontario that somehow have coerced police officers to aiding and abetting their Rights violations on private property.

Ontario ethical advertisers have banned a law firm in Goderich from advertising on ~30 Free Press sites across Ontario. Some news aggregator sites and several minor search engines have also stepped up and have taken steps to ensure the law firm’s name is not mentioned. 

This is after a decade-long Free Press probe into Goderich Courthouse’s coercive agreement practices, by-law overreach, rights violations, review of court documents, court transcripts, videos and over a hundred victims coming forward. This dramatically escalated after a stand off with segregation enforcement at Buck & Jo’s 250,000 watched, highlighting numerous problems with the “system”.

The law firm’s name will not be mentioned. Check various Free Press Halls of shame if you are curious, as that is the only place they are permitted to appear.

Everyone must ask a few simple questions before they hire, or give their “lawyer” any more money, as there are some gargantuan conflicts and corruption. 
  • Do you or your law firm prosecute private property by-law enforcement infractions?
  • Do you or your law firm prosecute provincial offenses in the name of the “King”?
  • Do you your law firm prosecute any offenses in the name of the “King”?

If the answer is yes to any of the above questions, you must ask yourself why you would hire a law firm that works daily to convict people as a “Crown Prosecutor ” to defend/help you?

Those seeking help should check out various paralegals and talk to other victims on how to survive being thrown into the system and to avoid bankrupting fees from a prosecutor posing as a defense “lawyer”.

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Durham Regional Police Police Press Releases

Robert SKRONSKI & George DAYOUB Arrested – Details Released

Two males are in custody after being found with numerous fraudulent identifications while attempting to open an account at a bank in Oshawa.

On Wednesday, April 3, 2024, at approximately 2:20 p.m., members of East Division, with the assistance of the East Division Criminal Investigations Branch, responded to a fraud call at the TD Bank located at 1310 King Street East, in Oshawa. A male entered the bank and attempted to open an account with fraudulent identification documents. Employees recognized the documents as fraudulent and contacted police. The suspect fled the bank prior to police arrival.

Police located the suspect at a nearby business and took him into custody without incident. A second suspect, linked to the first suspect, was located in a nearby vehicle and taken into custody without incident. The second suspect was found with numerous fraudulent identification documents in the vehicle.

Robert SKRONSKI, age 54 from Quebec is charged with: Fraud Under $5000 x2, Possession of Forged Document x3, Fraudulent Use of Certificate of Citizenship, Possess Identity Documents of Another x6, and Possess Credit Card Obtained by Crime.

George DAYOUB, age 26 from Quebec is charged with: Fraud Under $5000 x2, Possession of Forged Document x2, Possess Identity Document of Another x4, Possess Credit Card Obtained by Crime, and Fail to Comply with Release Order x3.

Both males were held for a bail hearing.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact D/Cst. Kane of the Financial Crimes Unit at 1-888-579-1520 ext. 5371.

Anonymous information can be sent to Durham Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or online at www.durhamregionalcrimestoppers.ca and tipsters may be eligible for a $2,000 cash reward.

The information in this media release contains facts and circumstances that have been obtained from a police investigation. These allegations have yet to be proven in court.

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Durham Regional Police Police Press Releases

Scammer Taxidermist Arrested After $500,000 Wasn’t Enough

A male has been arrested after fraudulently claiming the deceased exotic animals for his taxidermist business were no longer viable due to a faulty refrigeration system.

On Monday, September 11, 2023, investigators with the DRPS Financial Crimes Unit (FCU) were contacted by an insurance company regarding multiple claims filed by Artistry in Motion Taxidermy, that they believed to be fraudulent. The owner of the business purchased deceased exotic animals such as tigers, lions and monkeys, after they died of natural causes, for use as art pieces.

In May of 2022, the owner made a claim to the insurance company for a weather-related failure of his refrigeration system, which he claimed resulted in a financial loss of over $500,000 of animals.

In June of 2023, the owner made a second claim to the insurance company for another refrigeration system failure, which he claimed resulted in a financial loss of over $700,000 of animals.

Investigation into zoos, ranches, and safaris both in Canada and in Africa, named by the suspect, revealed that the suspect had fraudulently produced purchase invoices, created fictitious zoos and safaris, and inflated the value of the deceased animals.

Cyril DSOUZA, age 65 from Uxbridge is charged with: Fraud Over $5000 x2, and Utter Forged Document x2.

He was released on an Undertaking.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact D/Cst. Tisi of the Financial Crimes Unit at 1-888-579-1520 ext. 5729.

Anonymous information can be sent to Durham Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or online at www.durhamregionalcrimestoppers.ca and tipsters may be eligible for a $2,000 cash reward.

The information in this media release contains facts and circumstances that have been obtained from a police investigation. These allegations have yet to be proven in court.

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Laurentian Valley OPP Police Press Releases

$30,000 Fraud – STEPHENSON Arrested

(LAURENTIAN VALLEY TWP, ON) – A Whitewater Region resident is facing fraud-related charges after a criminal investigation was launched in January 2024.

The Upper Ottawa Valley (UOV) Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) began investigating after loss prevention staff at a retail store in Laurentian Valley Township reported fraudulent transactions. An investigation found that the store sustained over $30,000 in losses over a period of several months.  

As a result of this investigation, 28-year-old Katherine STEPHENSON has been charged with the following Criminal Code (CC) offences:

  • Fraud over $5000
  • Possession of property obtained by crime over $5000

The accused was released to appear at the Ontario Court of Justice in Pembroke on April 23, 2024.

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Midland OPP Police Press Releases

Justin JACKSON Arrested For Fraud & Possession

(MIDLAND, ON) – A 35 year old Midland resident has been charged in connection to a unlawful vehicle entry, theft and further fraud incidents after a Penetanguishene resident reported the theft of a wallet from an unlocked parked vehicle at a residence during the dark hours of March 9-10, 2024.

The responding officer through investigation found that the credit cards from the stolen wallet were used at several area businesses and a suspect was later identified as a person known to police.

On the afternoon of March 25, 2024, officers responded to a report of an intoxicated person and upon investigation by police, the person was arrested as the suspect in connection to the theft and fraud incident.

Charged is Justin JACKSON with the following offences.

  • Possession Property Obtained by Crime Under $5,000 – in Canada
  • Fraud Under $5000 (three counts)

The accused was held for a bail hearing on outstanding warrants and will appear before the Ontario Court of Justice at a future date.

Residents are reminded to lock your vehicle and remove valuables such as wallets and purses containing identification or credit cards and cash when you park it to help avoid becoming a victim of numerous types of crime.

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Killaloe OPP Police Press Releases

Amanda FOY – Theft, Laundering, Fraud, Etc.

(KILLALOE) – In November of 2022, the Killaloe Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) began an investigation into several fraud and theft related incidents that occurred in the Township of Madawaska Valley.

An investigation into these incidents led by the Renfrew County Crime Unit, has resulted in the arrest of one individual and subsequent criminal charges laid.On March 26, 2024, 43-year-old Amanda FOY of Killaloe, Hagarty and Richards Township was arrested and charged with the following Criminal Code offences:·      Theft over $5000, (eleven counts),·      Theft under $5000, (three counts),·      Fraud under $5000, (nine counts),·      Possession of proceeds of crime over $5000,·      Possession of proceeds of crime under $5000,·      Laundering proceeds of crime; and,·      Forgery.The accused has been released from custody and is scheduled to appear in court on May 1, 2024, Ontario Court of Justice, Pembroke. The investigation is continuing.Police are asking anyone with information surrounding this crime to contact the Killaloe OPP Detachment at 613-757-2600 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS or www.valleytips.ca. You could receive a cash reward of up to $2000.