Arrests have been made in ‘Romance Scam’ that has been targeting seniors across Canada.
If you believe you have been a victim of a fraud scam and have sent money to someone online please contact the Financial Crimes Unit, said Toronto Police.
“The public is asked to beware of internet romance frauds and are advised not to send money to unknown individuals on-line,” said a TPS statement.
In December 2018, the Financial Crimes Unit – Mass Marketing Section and members of the Toronto Strategic Partnership initiated an investigation into a romance-type fraud scam that targeted senior citizens across Canada.
It is alleged that the victims began online relationships, corresponding with profiles on social media sites. After a period of time, once trust was established, the victims were persuaded to send money to various bank accounts.
$250,000 Scammed
Losses to victims identified so far in this case amount to approximately $250,000.
Investigators identified a number of suspects that opened and controlled the bank accounts set up to receive the funds generated from these romance frauds. The bank accounts were a mix of legitimate and fraudulent accounts that were opened with counterfeit identification.
The Toronto Police executed four search warrants in September and arrested five individuals as part of the investigation.
Oluwaseun Oladokun, 35, of Toronto, was charged with:
1. Possession of Proceeds of Crime
2. Launder Proceeds of Crime
Olanrewaju Fagbemi, 36, of Toronto, was charged with:
1. Possession of Proceeds of Crime
2. Launder Proceeds of Crime
Martins Tabat, 33, of Toronto, was charged with:
1. Possession of Proceeds of Crime
2. Launder Proceeds of Crime
It is further alleged that:
– money was accessed from a bank account under the name of ‘George Bature’.
This account received money from victims of a romance scam fraud.
Freeman Toje, 45, of Toronto, was charged with:
1. Possession of Proceeds of Crime
2. Launder Proceeds of Crime
3. Possession of Counterfeit Mark
4. Possess Forged Passport
It is further alleged that:
– money was accessed from bank accounts under the names of ‘Foday Amos’ and ‘Jonathan Faith’
In addition, it is alleged that he was in possession of various fraudulent government identities under the names of:
– Jonathan Faith,
– Foday Amos,
– Sabia Smith,
– Scott Miller,
– Eric Menke,
– Aaron Tubman
Kaitlin Ainsworth, 24, of London, Ontario, was charged with:
1. Possession of Proceeds of Crime
2. Launder Proceeds of Crime