Between February 2024 and August 2025 detectives with the Niagara Regional Police Service (NRPS) Central Fraud Unit have been investigating a complex fraud that was alleged to have occurred between June 2022 and January 2024. The fraud involved a commercial business operating in Niagara and a Chartered Professional Accountant.
As a result of the investigation, detectives learned that the commercial business had hired the services of a Chartered Professional Accountant who is the sole director of Ontario Incorporated 2629884 and owner of Justin Jay Tax Accounting & Advisory Services to assume all accounting services. The investigation uncovered that the commercial business had been defrauded an amount in excess of $200,000.
On Wednesday, August 13, 2025, detectives charged Cherrel MONTON-MATSUGU, a 45-year-old resident of Niagara Falls, with the following additional criminal code offences:
Fraud Over $5,000 Unauthorized Use of Credit Card Falsify Book or Documents Criminal Breach of Trust
These additional criminal charges were laid on August 13, 2025, at the Robert S.K. Welch Courthouse, located at 59 Church Street in the City of St. Catharines and MONTON-MATSUGU was released with a future court date.
The investigation remains ongoing as detectives suspect there may be more victims. Anyone who may have information is asked to contact detectives by calling 905-688-4111, option 3, extension 1009133.
Members of the community who wish to provide information anonymously can contact Crime Stoppers of Niagara online or by calling 1-800-222-8477. Crime Stoppers offers cash rewards to people who contact the program with information which leads to an arrest.
#24-11184
Original Release
NRPS Central Fraud Unit Arrests Chartered Professional Accountant
In February 2024, officers from the Niagara Regional Police Service (NRPS) assigned to 1 District (St. Catharines/Thorold) office responded to a commercial business regarding a belated fraud involving a Chartered Professional Accountant. The investigation was forwarded to detectives assigned to the NRPS Central Fraud Unit.
As a result of the investigation, detectives learned that the business had hired a Chartered Professional Accountant who is the sole director of Ontario Incorporated 2629884 and owner of Justin Jay Tax Accounting & Advisory Services to assume all accounting services. When the business became skeptical of the accounting practices, a third-party review was conducted, resulting in allegations of fraud.
On April 23, 2025, Cherrel MONTON-MATSUGU, 44, of Niagara Falls, was arrested and charged with the following Criminal Code offences:
Fraud over $5,000 Possession of proceeds of property obtained by crime over $5,000 Altering a document with intent to defraud Criminal breach of trust
She was released from custody by means of a Form 10 Undertaking and is scheduled to appear in court on May 21, 2025, at the Robert S.K. Welch Courthouse, located at 59 Church Street in the City of St. Catharines.
The complainants in this matter have requested that the NRPS not release further details and the identity of the involved business.
Anyone with information about this investigation is asked to contact the lead detective by calling 905-688-4111, option 3, extension 1009488.
Members of the public who wish to provide information anonymously can contact Crime Stoppers of Niagara online or by calling 1-800-222-8477. Crime Stoppers offers cash rewards to persons who contact the program with information which leads to an arrest.
Incident #24-11184