Belle River resident one of 12 people arrested by Toronto police in $4M fake ID scheme
‘Project Déjà Vu’ was launched in October 2022 after a financial institution reported fake accounts created by a former employee.
Toronto Police describe the crimes as “synthetic-identity credit fraud scheme.”
“They’re essentially applying for unlimited amounts of credit in fictional synthetic names,” Toronto Police Service Det. David Coffee said Monday during a news conference.
Coffee said the crimes started back in 2016 and police believe more than 680 fake identities were created since then.
Toronto police allege “hundreds” of bank and credit accounts were created at various banks and financial institutions across Ontario.
“The fraudulently-obtained credit accounts were then drawn upon by way of in-store and online purchases, cash withdrawals, or electronic fund transfers,” said Coffee. “In many cases, fraudulent payments were made into the credit account to allow them to be drawn beyond their defined limits.”
According to police, the crimes have lead to “confirmed losses” of approximately $4 million.
“This isn’t just about fraud,” Coffee said. “Accounts obtained under synthetic identities are know to facilitate other serious criminal offences including the laundering of proceeds derived from human trafficking, drug trafficking and armed robbery among other serious crimes.”
After using 20 search warrants, police seized several dozen fake documents, including government ID, and electronic templates to create false identifications.
They also seized $300,000 in Canadian and foreign cash along with hundreds of debit and credit cards.
Mian Muhammad Saud, 35, who police identified as being from Belle River, is charged with fraud over $5,000, laundering proceeds of crime and possession of proceeds of crime over $5,000.
Of the 11 other suspects, seven are from Brampton, with the remaining from Ayr, Caledon, Mississauga, Markham.
None of the allegations have been proven in court.
Police say the investigation is not over.
“We believe there are other people who are complicit in this scheme and we are working to identify them. We also believe there may be additional incidents and victims,” said Coffee.
Police are releasing the images of everybody who was arrested and are encouraging businesses owners to look through them, and report any suspicious purchases or credit applications.
Coffee said fraudulent transactions might have also been conducted through online buy and sell platforms.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
For first time in more than 10 years, child dies of measles in Ontario
A young child has died of measles in Ontario, marking the first death in the province from the highly contagious virus in more than 10 years, a Public Health Ontario report confirms.
NEW Pack the macaroni necklace: Lessons on evacuations from a woman who fled one of Canada's worst wildfires
Carol Christian had 15 minutes to evacuate her home during the Fort McMurray wildfires in 2016. She ended up losing the house and everything inside. Now, she wants to share the lessons she learned.
Think twice before sharing 'heartbreaking' social media posts, RCMP warn
Mounties in B.C. are urging people to think twice before sharing "heartbreaking posts" on social media.
'Ugly produce': One way Canadians are shrinking rising grocery bills
As the cost of food in Canada has risen, grocery shoppers are looking at ways to reduce their grocery bill, and more are choosing price over beauty, turning to companies that deliver so-called 'misfit' produce at a fraction of the cost.
Vatican revamps norms to evaluate visions of Mary as it adapts to Internet age and combats hoaxers
The Vatican on Friday radically reformed its process for evaluating alleged visions of the Virgin Mary, weeping statues and other seemingly supernatural phenomena, insisting on having the final say in whether the events are worthy of popular devotion.
Wildfires are dampening against cool, rainy weather, but there's plenty left to contain
An opportune system of cool, wet weather Friday is dampening the spread of wildfires across Western Canada, but there's still plenty of work for responders and residents alike.
5 secrets to moving better and preventing avoidable injury
Countless people seek emergency care for back pain, muscle strains and similar injuries resulting from “moving wrong” during mundane, everyday tasks such as bending over to tie shoes, lifting objects or doing household chores.
Zach Bryan and girlfriend Brianna Chickenfry are 'happy and alive' after 'traumatizing' car accident
Zach Bryan and his girlfriend Brianna LaPaglia were involved in a scary car accident earlier this week, according to LaPaglia, who recalled the experience in a candid video posted to her TikTok page earlier this week.
Trudeau calls New Brunswick's Conservative government a 'disgrace' on women's rights
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau assailed New Brunswick's premier and other conservative leaders on Thursday, calling out the provincial government's position on abortion, LGBTQ youth and climate change.