logo
Waterloo Regional Police charge three people in ongoing fraud investigation

Waterloo Regional Police charge three people in ongoing fraud investigation

CTV News21 hours ago
A man holds a phone and a banking card in this undated stock image. (Mikhail Nilov/Pexels.com)
Three people from Kitchener are facing fraud charges as part of an ongoing Waterloo Regional Police Service investigation.
Investigators said an unknown suspect or suspects contacted people between May 8 and June 20 and claimed to work for Bell Canada.
The suspect was able to obtain personal information from their unsuspecting victims and that information was used to buy $100,000 worth of new cell phones, which were delivered to a Kitchener address.
On June 24, Bell Canada told the Waterloo Regional Police Service about the fraud and an investigation was launched.
Six days later, two search warrants were completed at homes in Kitchener. Officers seized more than $40,000 of fraudulently obtained property and three people were arrested.
A 37-year-old man, a 26-year-old man and a 26-year-old woman were charged with fraud over $5,000 and possession of stolen property over $5,000.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

2 charged in Markham home invasions that targeted sex trade workers: police
2 charged in Markham home invasions that targeted sex trade workers: police

CTV News

time14 minutes ago

  • CTV News

2 charged in Markham home invasions that targeted sex trade workers: police

Oniel Forrester (left) and Maryanne Cunanan have been charged for Markham home invasions. (York Regional Police) Two people have been charged following a series of home invasion robberies in Markham that police say targeted sex trade workers. The first incident happened on the evening of May 30 at a condominium near Verdale Crossing and Birchmount Road, south of Highway 7. York Regional Police said when the victim exited her unit, a man forced his way inside, assaulted the victim, and demanded cash. He fled in a blue sedan driven by a second suspect, police said. Almost a month later, on June 27, the two suspects were allegedly responsible for two more home invasions at condominiums near Highway 7 East and Rodick Road. 'In both cases, the suspects are believed to have specifically targeted individuals working in the sex trade,' police said in a news release on Thursday, noting that the victim in the first incident was also a sex trade worker. Their investigation also determined that one of the suspects is linked to a robbery in Barrie on May 6. Investigators also searched a residence in Toronto, where police said stolen property was recovered. The suspects have been identified as 29-year-old Oniel Joshua Forrester of Barrie and 30-year-old Maryanne Cunanan of Toronto. Forrester has been charged with armed robbery, three counts of robbery and four counts of disguise with intent. Cunanan is facing charges of armed robbery, possession of proceeds obtained by crime and two counts of robbery. Police have released the suspects' photos, saying investigators believe the two may be responsible for additional incidents and are urging other victims to come forward. Anyone with information is urged to contact police at 1-866-876-5423 ext. 7441 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS.

Renewed focus on water safety after second drowning in Ottawa waterway this summer
Renewed focus on water safety after second drowning in Ottawa waterway this summer

CTV News

time17 minutes ago

  • CTV News

Renewed focus on water safety after second drowning in Ottawa waterway this summer

A man drowned and his eight-year-old child was rescued from the Ottawa River near Westboro Beach on Wednesday. (Maddison de Varennes/CTV News Ottawa) The Lifesaving Society and Ottawa police are reminding people to stay safe around waterways, including swimming in designated areas and using a lifejacket, after the second drowning in an Ottawa river in two weeks. A man drowned and his eight-year-old child was rescued from the Ottawa River near Westboro Beach Wednesday afternoon. Police say they received a call at approximately 1:40 p.m. about a father and child who had gone underwater in the Ottawa River just down the pathway from the beach. Two bystanders were able to help rescue the child. 'On behalf of the entire police service and all the first responders who did respond to that call. We send our heartfelt condolences to the family affected by this tragedy,' said Sgt. Caroline Gallant with the Ottawa Police Service. 'Unfortunately, already this summer, we've had too many incidents on our waterways, so we're here to remind everybody to be safe, to stay in the designated swim areas where there are lifeguards. If you're not an avid swimmer, make sure you have the proper protection. Lifejackets do save lives.' A GoFundMe page believed to have been created by the victim's wife says he died trying to save their son and they were swimming away from Westboro Beach because they had their dog with them. Gallant said while two bystanders heard the calls for distress and responded to help rescue the child, you need to exercise caution when entering the water. 'In this situation the bystanders intervening definitely saved that young boy's life,' says Sgt. Gallant. 'The depth in the Ottawa River varies drastically. So, if you're not a strong swimmer, there is currents still in the water and you have to be able to self-rescue also.' The child was transported to CHEO in stable condition. This is the second drowning in two weeks in Ottawa. On June 16, an 18-year-old man drowned while swimming with friends in the Rideau River in Ottawa's south end. The Lifesaving Society says drowning is preventable, 'with layers of protection.' 'We really want to stress the importance of safety in and around the water,' Sean Duffy, vice-president of management training with the Lifesaving Society, told CTV News Ottawa. 'For children under the age of five, drowning is a leading cause of death and one of the best ways to prevent drowning in children is direct adult supervision. Assess your swimming ability and the environment that you're going to go swim in. The safest place to swim is to swim near a lifeguard.' Duffy urges people to swim in areas where lifeguards are on duty and in a designated swimming area. 'In the absence of lifeguard supervision, use layers of protection, wear a lifejacket,' Duffy said. 'Bring other equipment so that if someone gets in trouble, you can throw a floating object, like a ring buoy or a lifejacket to help support them.' With files from CTV News Ottawa's William Eltherington

2 arrested amid investigation into extortion of South Asian businesses in B.C.'s Lower Mainland
2 arrested amid investigation into extortion of South Asian businesses in B.C.'s Lower Mainland

CTV News

time20 minutes ago

  • CTV News

2 arrested amid investigation into extortion of South Asian businesses in B.C.'s Lower Mainland

An RCMP patch is seen on the shoulder of an assistant commissioner, in Surrey, B.C., on Friday, April 28, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck Two suspects have been arrested amid an ongoing RCMP investigation into financial extortion primarily targeting South Asian businesses in B.C.'s Lower Mainland. There have been dozens of extortion attempts reported across the region since March 2023, with business owners in some cases receiving chilling phone calls demanding millions of dollars – then having shots fired at their shops. On Thursday, the RCMP announced the arrest of two suspects for 'careless discharge of a firearm and arson' in relation to incidents that took place last year in Surrey. The individuals' names have not been released, but authorities are expected to share more information at a news conference Thursday afternoon. The RCMP also revealed for the first time that it has been investigating the extortion attempts through a Joint Force Operation that began sometime in 2024. 'These investigations take time and, for strategic investigative reasons, details of the co-ordinated policing efforts have not been shared publicly,' the RCMP said, in a news release. 'We want the public to know that police agencies across the Lower Mainland are prioritizing these investigations and are committed to working together and with communities to hold those responsible, accountable.' This is a developing story and will be updated.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store