Police in Durham Region have charged a 41-year-old man in connection with what they’re calling a “sophisticated” romance scam, which saw five women lose more than $1 million. Det. Sgt. Brad Chapman revealed the results of “Project Maroon” at a news conference Thursday. He explained that although police were first tipped off about the fraud by one of the victims in November 2025, the suspect’s alleged “deception, manipulation, and false representation” began years earlier in 2020. Salvatore Malandrino, of Marmora, Ont., (north of Belleville), was arrested on Monday in connection with the investigation. He is charged with five counts of fraud over $5,000, laundering proceeds of crime, possession of proceeds obtained by crime, two counts of failing to comply with a release order, and uttering a forged document. According to police, Malandrino did not meet his alleged victims online, as is often the case in similar romance scams. Instead, Chapman said, Malandrino befriended the women through his dog training business, Friendly K9, and interactions at a local gym. “These relationships were cultivated over time through repeated personal contact, allowing trust and credibility to develop in a way that appeared authentic,” he said. Victims were ‘deliberately exploited’: Police Malandrino allegedly presented himself to his victims as a successful entrepreneur, while convincing them to provide substantial sums of money under the guise of investments, loans, business opportunities, and personal financial emergencies. In exchange, police said, he promised some of his victims marriage, long-term romantic commitments, or shared business opportunities together. “The women involved believed they were helping someone they cared about. They believed they were investing in a future, helping a partner through difficult circumstances, or contributing to shared plans and opportunities,” Chapman said. “Instead, those beliefs were deliberately exploited, and they were being deceived.” Chapman went on to say that investigators reviewed thousands of pages of Malandrino’s banking records and uncovered what he called a “complex” pattern of money transfers involving personal and business accounts, cash withdrawals and expenditures “inconsistent with the purposes for what these funds were originally obtained.” He added that, as the investigation progressed, similar experiences described by different victims who were unaware of one another began to surface. “It was the consistency of these allegations…that ultimately led investigators conclude they were examining an alleged scheme rather than isolated incidents.” Chapman said investigators believe there may be additional victims who may have been deceived or suffered a financial loss as a result of alleged Malandrino’s actions. “We encourage you to contact investigators, even if you are unaware whether your experience is connected to this investigation, we encourage you to contact us.” Malandrino was held for a bail hearing. He remains in police custody at this time.
