Suspect in ‘SIM-swapping’ fraud faces several charges: Toronto police

A Toronto Police Service logo patch is shown in Toronto, on Tuesday, Sept. 5, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Spencer Colby

Toronto police say a suspect faces half a dozen charges in connection with a “SIM-swapping” fraud investigation.

According to investigators, as part of the investigation, which began in September 2023, officers learned that a telecommunication employee was called and his credentials were solicited.

“The employee credentials were used to transfer the victim’s phone number from their device to the one in the accused’s possession,” police said in a news released issued on Tuesday.

“While in the accused’s possession, the victim’s phone number was used for authentication to break into various computer/mobile applications of the victim, including their email, their cryptocurrency accounts, and a banking application.”

Funds were transferred out of the victim’s accounts by the accused, police said.

Following an investigation, police said they identified “several points of data” associated with the accused in the fraud.

On Nov. 7, police said, a suspect was arrested in connection with the case.

He has been identified by police as 20-year-old Hamad Ali, a 20-year-old Toronto resident. He is facing six charges, including personation to gain advantage, intercepting private communication, and fraud over $5,000.

He is scheduled to appear in court on January 7, 2026.