Quebec man charged with identity theft in $900K fraud case in northern Ont.

Ontario Provincial Police said a Saint-Placide, Que., suspect stole the identity of the victim from Manitoulin Island and used it for several financial transactions online totalling more than $900,000. (File)

A 54-year-old man from Saint-Placide, Que., has been charged with fraud involving more than $900,000 from a victim on Manitoulin Island, Ont.

Ontario Provincial Police said they believe that the suspect stole the victim’s identity and used it for several financial transactions online.

“The amount defrauded was more than $900,000,” said OPP Const. Berkley Parisien in an email to CTV News Northern Ontario.

“The cyber-financial fraud (involved) the impersonation of the victim, which ultimately led to fraudulent transfers related to banking accounts.”

The victim was a business owner from Mantioulin. The arrest took some time because the suspect fled to the Bahamas and was arrested upon his return to Canada.

The fraud was reported Oct. 28, 2024, leading to a multi-agency investigation led by the OPP’s crime unit and Manitoulin OPP.

Complex investigation

“Due to the scope and complexity of the fraud, the investigation was conducted with support from several agencies, including the OPP anti-rackets branch, the Nipissing West OPP crime unit, the Hawkesbury OPP crime unit and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Bahamas Liaison,” police said in a news release.

The suspect was arrested Jan. 22 with help from the Hawkesbury OPP crime unit, Canada Border Services Agency and La Sûreté du Québec.

Charges include fraud over $5,000 and laundering the proceeds of crime. He was scheduled to appear in bail court Monday.

“Fraud can impose tremendous financial and emotional hardship on victims,” police said.

“The OPP is committed to thoroughly investigating all fraud-related offences, and the OPP anti-rackets branch provides specialized support to cases involving significant or complex financial loss.”

If you or someone you know has been the victim of fraud, contact the OPP at 1-888-310-1122. For additional information about fraud, visit the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre website or call 1-888-495-8501.