SASKATOON – Three Quebec men previously charged with several fraud-related offences are now facing organized crime charges.
On Jan. 19, investigators with the Saskatoon Police Service Economic Crime Section charged two 25-year-old Quebec men with committing an indictable offence for the benefit of a criminal organization; one of these men was also charged with recruiting for a criminal organization. As a result of continued investigation, all three men involved are also facing two additional charges of fraud over $5,000. Police say the investigation is ongoing.
If you have received a suspicious call and suspect fraud but have not been victimized, contact the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre; if you have become the victim of fraud, report it to the Saskatoon Police Service online or by calling 306-975-8300.
Members of the Saskatoon Police Service Economic Crime Section have been investigating a series of fraudulent activity in the community.
On Jan. 11, at around 10:45 p.m., an officer patrolling in the 800 block of 22nd Street West observed a vehicle of interest believed to be operated by suspects involved in multiple family / grandparent emergency scams. A traffic stop of the vehicle was initiated and its occupants were arrested without incident.
As a result, two men from Quebec, age 25 and 26, were charged with 10 counts of fraud over $5,000 and possession of the proceeds of crime over $5,000. The 25-year-old Quebec man previously arrested and charged on Jan. 10 with seven counts of fraud over $5,000 was charged with an additional three charges, totalling ten.
The amount fraudulently stolen from victims is now in excess of $100,000. The investigation is ongoing and additional charges may be laid.
Fraudsters leverage urgency and panic to coerce the victim into complying with their request. Always use extreme caution, especially when being asked to send a form of currency. If you have received a suspicious call and suspect fraud but have not been victimized, contact the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre; if you have become the victim of fraud, report it to the Saskatoon Police Service online or by calling 306-975-8300.
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