Three people from Windsor are among eight charged in an internet fraud scheme.

The RCMP says the investigation began last October as a result of another probe of fraudulent cottage rentals in 2014.

Police allege the accused posted advertisements for property rentals in popular vacation areas on classified websites. They were paid through email money transfers, even though they did not own or have the right to offer the cottages for rent.

According to investigators, at least 75 people from across Canada were defrauded of more than $68,000.

The victims only discovered the fraud when they arrived at the site with carloads of friends or family.

Twenty-six year old Matthew Jonsson, 21-year-old Tamiwa Kanyenda and 21-year-old Halle Beattie, all of Windsor, have been charged with fraud over $5,000 and possession of the proceeds of crime.

The other suspects are from Brampton, Fort Erie, St. Catherines as well as Calgary, Alberta and White Rock, British Columbia.

All are scheduled to appear in a London court in early December.

Anyone victimized by this type of fraud should contact the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at their toll-free number 1-888-495-8501 or online at www.antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca/index-eng.htm.