Tag: Fraud

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OPP Police Press Releases Quinte West

Arrest Made In Fake Gold Jewellery Scam

(QUINTE WEST, ON) – The Quinte West Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) has laid charges following a complaint of an individual selling fake gold jewellery.

On May 8, 2025, at approximately 4:30 p.m., Quinte West OPP received a complaint of an individual flagging down traffic on the ramp exiting the 401. The individual claimed to be out of gas and was willing to exchange gold jewellery for cash. An investigation led to the individual being arrested.

Alexandru TRANCA, 46 years old from Scarborough, has been charged with Fraud under $5000.

The accused was released from custody and is scheduled to appear at the Ontario Court of Justice in Belleville on June 12, 2025.

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OPP Police Press Releases South Huron

45,000 Chicks Stolen – 41 Year Old From South Huron Arrested

(SOUTH HURON, ON) – Huron County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) investigated the reported theft of approximately 45,000 chicks from a farm in South Huron in April 2023 and have now laid charges in the matter.

On Thursday April 20, 2023, Huron OPP officers received a report that 30,000 15-day-old baby chicks were stolen sometime overnight on April 19/20, 2023. This total of stolen chickens was later revised to a total of 45,000 chickens.

The total loss was reportedly valued at over $139,000.

After a lengthy investigation, the Huron County OPP Crime Unit has charged the complainant in this matter with the following offences:

Henk VELDMAN, now 41 years-of-age from South Huron has been charged with:

–      Fraud Over $5,000,

–      Public Mischief.

The accused was arrested and charged on May 6th, 2025. They were processed and later released from custody with a court appearance scheduled at the Ontario Court of Justice – Goderich on May 26, 2025. 

Anyone with information regarding this incident are encouraged to contact Huron OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or (519) 482-1677. 

Should you wish to remain anonymous, you may call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or submit a web tip at P3tips where you may be eligible to receive a cash reward of up to $2,000

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OPP Police Press Releases RIDEAU LAKES

Johanna CAKE Charged With Fraud

(RIDEAU LAKES TOWNSHIP, ON) – The Leeds County Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) has laid fraud charges against the operator of a former cat rescue in the Elgin area of Rideau Lakes Township.

The lengthy investigation by the OPP and Animal Welfare Service began in October 2024 after complaints were received regarding the well-being of cats under the care of the rescue and irregularities related to donations and expenses.

On Wednesday, April 30, 2025, the Chief Executive Office of Eastern Ontario Cats was arrested. Johanna CAKE, age 33 of Rideau Lakes Township, has been charged with:

  • Fraud over $5000
  • Fraud under $5000 – two counts
  • Possession of proceeds of property obtained by crime
  • Obtaining by false pretence-over

The accused has been released from custody and is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Brockville on May 30, 2025.

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OPP Police Press Releases Tecumseh

$100,000 Fraud – Peter MCLEOD Arrested

(TECUMSEH, ON) – The Essex County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) have charged one individual after a substantial fraud investigation.

On February 2, 2024, an individual entered a bank on Tecumseh Road in the Town of Tecumseh and deposited a cheque for over $100,000. The money was then withdrawn prior to the banking establishment noticing the cheque was fraudulent.

A lengthy investigation was conducted by the Essex County OPP, Essex County OPP Major Crime Unit, Elgin OPP Major Crime Unit, Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC), OPP Anti-Rackets Branch – Economical Crimes and Corruption Unit (Ottawa), the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (FINTRAC) and the Elgin OPP Warrant Apprehension Team.

Peter MCLEOD 43-years-old of Woodstock was arrested and charged with the following Criminal Code offences:

  • Make False Statement in Writing
  • Fraud Over $5000
  • Use, deals, acts on forged document
  • Laundering Proceeds of Crime – did use – commision in Canada
  • Possession Property Obtained by Crime Over $5,000 – in Canada
  • Possession of article stolen from mail

The accused has been released from police custody and is scheduled to appear in the Ontario Court of Justice – Windsor on May 29, 2025, to speak to the charges.

The OPP can be contacted at any time at 1-888-310-1122.

Should you wish to remain anonymous, you may call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or leave an anonymous online tip at www.catchcrooks.com where you may be eligible to receive a cash reward of up to $2,000.

In 2024, the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC) received fraud reports totalling $648 million in victim losses, surpassing the previous record of $578 million in 2023. Cyber-Enabled fraud accounted for 75 per cent of reported losses, reflecting the increasing sophistication of online crime. It is estimated that only 5-10% of victims report their fraud to the CAFC or law enforcement.

For more information on fraud, you can contact the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501 or http://www.antifraudcentre.ca or your local police service.

 To report a fraud, please contact your local police service and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.

Categories
OPP Orillia Police Press Releases

$1.8 Million Fraud Investigation – Kevin DOUSE Arrested

(CITY OF ORILLIA, ON)- Members of the OPP Orillia Major Crime Unit, have arrested a local financial advisor from Orillia, Ontario. The individual is charged with Defraud the Public and eleven counts of Uttering a Forged Document contrary to the Criminal Code.

The 16 -month investigation concluded with the arrest of Kevin DOUSE. 40-year-old of the Township of Severn on April 24, 2025. 

He will appear at the Ontario Court of Justice on June 10, 2025, in Orillia, Ontario to answer to these charges. The total sum of the misallocated funds suspected to be over $1.8 million.

It is alleged the local registered financial advisor, defrauded some of his clients by requesting his clients provide the intended investment funds by way of cheque made payable to himself personally instead of making the cheque directly payable to the investment company. Moreover, in certain instances, it is alleged the accused falsified and forged investment and insurance paperwork to hide the misallocation of his victims’ funds. There are also further alleged fraudulent acts by DOUSE on members of the public while he was working as a financial advisor.

Investigating officer Detective Constable Rogan of the Orillia Crime Unit said, “It is essential to confirm that your investment funds are being directed into the products you intended. This means regularly reviewing your investment statements-whether by mail or through your secure online investment portal-and by keeping track of all transactions.” 

In many cases, particularly with vulnerable individuals, fraud can go undetected. “The OPP advises that a trusted family member or person regularly reviews these online accounts, especially for those who may not be tech-savvy, and always ensure you receive detailed documentation, receipts, and clear records for every investment decision.”

Police are asking anyone with any further information to contact Orillia OPP at 705-326-3536 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS). You can submit information online at www.crimestopperssdm.com Crime Stoppers does not subscribe to call display and you will remain anonymous. Being anonymous, you will not testify in court and your information may lead to a cash reward of up to $2,000.

Categories
OPP Perth East Police Press Releases

19 Year Old Facing Money Laundering & Fraud Charges

(PERTH EAST, ON) – One person has been charged in relation to a fraud investigation in the Township of Perth East.

On October 7th, 2024, the Perth County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) launched an investigation after receiving information that a business in the Township of Perth East was defrauded of nearly $5,000 through the use of fraudulent cheques.

As a result of the investigation, 19-year-old Tiffany ZHOU of Markham, ON was charged with the following Criminal Code of Canada offences:

–      Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Under $5,000

–      Laundering Proceeds of Crime

ZHOU is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Stratford on May 26th, 2025.

If you or someone you know has been a victim of fraud, please report it by calling 1-888-310-1122. Should you wish to remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or submit a secure web-tip at www.cstip.ca, where you may be eligible to receive a cash reward of up to $2000.

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Blind River OPP Police Press Releases

Wray CHAMBERLAIN Was Arrested

(BLIND RIVER, ON)- The East Algoma Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) attend an apartment to issue a warning, and the tenant provided a false name in an attempt to conceal their identity.

On Sunday, April 13, 2025, East Algoma OPP received a request to assist another OPP detachment in issuing a warning to an individual from Blind River in connection with a threat’s complaint. The individual had allegedly made threatening remarks toward two people from the City of Kawartha Lakes.

At approximately 8:00 p.m., officers attended an apartment complex on Woodward Avenue to locate and speak with the individual. While in the hallway, a tenant opened their apartment door, and officers recognized them from a photo as the person intended to be warned. During the interaction, the tenant provided a false name in an apparent attempt to conceal their identity, which resulted in their subsequent arrest.

Wray CHAMBERLAIN, 30 years-of-age from Blind River was charged with: Personation with intent to avoid arrest, prosecution or obstruct justice (identity fraud).

The accused is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Elliot Lake on June 5, 2025.

Categories
Alerts WFP

🚨 Consumer Warning: Scam Involving American GoldBacks Targeting Seniors 🚨

BEWARE of Individuals Claiming GoldBacks Are Legal Tender in the USA

A fraudulent scheme is targeting seniors and Freedom Fighter groups in our area. A cash-only seller is going door to door and appearing at community meetings, falsely claiming that GoldBacks—a privately-issued, gold-foil currency—are legal tender in the United States.

✅ FACT: GoldBacks are not legal tender. They are not recognized by the U.S. government and cannot be used to pay debts or taxes.

⚠️ What This Seller Is Doing:

  • Claims GoldBacks are “spendable money” in the USA
  • Pressures people to trade cash for GoldBacks at inflated prices
  • Refuses to accept credit cards, checks, or give receipts
  • Offers no way to cash out or recover your money
  • Has no business card, website, or identifiable contact info
  • Exploits trust within patriotic or freedom-minded groups

❌ Why This Is a Scam:

  • You are overpaying for a product that has no guaranteed resale value
  • The seller is committing fraud by misrepresenting the product as legal tender
  • Victims are left with no recourse, no refund, and no way to spend what they were sold
  • Seniors and vulnerable citizens are being specifically targeted

✅ What You Can Do:

  • DO NOT give cash to anyone selling GoldBacks without doing proper research
  • Report suspicious activity to:
    • Your State Attorney General’s Office
    • The Federal Trade Commission at reportfraud.ftc.gov
    • Local law enforcement
  • Warn your friends, family, and neighbors, especially those in senior or church groups
  • Ask questions: If a seller won’t give you a receipt, contact info, or proof of legitimacy, walk away

🛡️ Stay Safe. Stay Informed.

GoldBacks are NOT legal U.S. currency. Don’t be fooled by flashy sales pitches or patriotic messaging—this is a scam.

If you believe you or someone you know may be a victim, contact us or your local authorities immediately. Let’s protect each other from fraud.

Categories
OPP Police Press Releases Prince Edward

Paul MARCONI – Theft & Fraud

(Prince Edward County, ON) – Members of the Prince Edward County Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) have laid additional charges in connection with an ongoing fraud investigation. An additional victim has come forward.

Officers laid charges in July of last year in connection with a lengthy fraud investigation looking into offences dating back several years, with numerous victims. The losses are estimated to be over approximately $500,000.

As a result of the ongoing investigation, Paul MARCONI, a 65-year-old of Prince Edward County, has now been charged with additional offences:

  • Fraud over $5000
  • Theft over $5000

The accused was released from custody and is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Picton on April 9, 2025.

The investigation is continuing and anyone with information surrounding these incidents is being urged to contact Prince Edward County OPP at 1-888-310-1122. 

Categories
OPP Orillia Police Press Releases

Investment Fraud – Douglas Grozelle, Crystal Masterson & Jonathan Williams

(ORILLIA, ON) – The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Anti-Rackets Branch (ARB) has charged three people in connection with a complex, multi-jurisdictional investment fraud scheme.

 On February 10, 2023, members of the OPP ARB initiated an investigation after receiving allegations of financial fraud related to the scheme.

 As a result of the investigation, three people have been arrested and charged under the Criminal Code.

Douglas Grozelle, age 49, of Burlington, Ontario has been charged with:

  • Fraud over $5,000 x2

 Jonathan Williams, Age 41, of Beamsville, Ontario, has been charged with:

  • Fraud over $5,000

 Crystal Masterson, age 40, of Burlington, Ontario, has been charged with:

  • Fraud over $5,000

The accused have been released from custody and are scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Hamilton.

 Anyone with information that could assist with the investigation is asked to call the OPP at 1-888-310-1122. Should you wish to remain anonymous, you can contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or ontariocrimestoppers.ca.

 The ARB is an OPP unit specializing in complex fraud, corruption and financial crime. It investigates major fraud schemes, political corruption and occurrences requiring advanced expertise or impartiality across Ontario.

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