2 men from Brampton charged in alleged taxi scam

From left, Weheliye Rage, 34, and Osaze Ebagua, 19, both of Brampton, have been charged in connection with an alleged taxi scam. (YRP photos)

Two men from Brampton are each facing several charges following an investigation into a alleged taxi scam.

York Regional Police (YRP) said on Sept. 26, at 8:44 p.m., officers attended a commercial plaza in Vaughan, near Colossus Drive and Famous Avenue, after receiving reports of a suspicious vehicle.

There, they learned that a male had been approached by another male he believed to be a youth, who then asked them to speak to a taxi driver in a Black Honda Civic on his behalf. The “youth” allegedly told the victim that the taxi driver would not accept his payment.

Investigators say the male then asked if he would pay for him by tapping his credit card on the point-of-sale machine. He declined and left as he became suspicious, they said.

The male took note of the vehicle’s licence plate, which police later determined to be stolen.

Police say that vehicle was located a short time later at another commercial plaza, also in Vaughan, near Applewood Crescent and Portage Parkway. Officers then followed it to a third commercial plaza in Toronto, near Islington Avenue and Rexdale Boulevard.

“While there, the same driver and male passenger were seen attempting to defraud another victim when the police took them into custody,” YRP said in a news release.

“Investigators learned the driver would swap the victim’s payment card with a stolen payment card from another victim. The suspects would then withdraw funds from banks before the victim realized what occurred.”

Weheliye Rage, 34, and Osaze Ebagua, 19, both of Brampton, have been charged with seven counts each of possession of stolen property not exceeding $5,000 as well as one count each of obtain by false pretence not exceeding $5,000 and disguise with intent. The charges have not been tested in court.

Police believe there may be additional victims and are urging them to come forward.

Anyone with further information should contact the #4 District Criminal Investigations Bureau at 1-866-876-5423, ext. 7441, or Crime Stoppers anonymously.