Two charged in massive cell phone fraud

Edmonton police collaborated with Australian Federal Police and New South Wales Police to arrest four people involved in an alleged extortion scheme.

Edmonton police have laid fraud-related charges against two men, after an alleged cell phone scam cost a major mobile phone provider about $1 million.

Police said on Saturday, March 9, Southeast Division members were called to a fraud-in-progress at a south side mall – officers arrived late that afternoon, and two men were arrested at about 5 p.m. in the mall parking lot.

It’s believed the two men had fraudulently acquired about $1 million worth in cell phones from a mobile phone provider, at outlets throughout western Canada using a fake corporate account.

The suspects then reportedly sold the stolen phones online.

Police have charged Cody Tyler Stott, 35, and Mohammed Ifran Vohra, 29, with one count each of fraud over $5,000, and uttering forged documents.