On August 23, 2022, an officer from the Niagara Regional Police Service (NRPS) Mobile Support Unit began a fraud investigation in relation to an incident in the City of Welland.
The officer spoke with the male complainant (in his 80s) who advised that he believed he had been scammed of $9000 cash on August 22, 2022. The investigation determined that the complainant had a received phone call from an unknown suspect claiming to be a grandchild in legal peril. A second unknown suspect came on the phone and claimed to be a lawyer. The complainant agreed to pay “legal bills” and attended his local bank and withdrew money. Later that day a “courier” came to his home and collected the money.
While the officer was investigating the matter the unknown suspects contacted the complainant again demanding another $10000.
Detectives from the 3 District – Welland Street Crime Unit and 3 District Detective office became involved in the investigation. The suspects attempted to pick up more money but were unsuccessful. The suspect car, a grey 2007 Honda Civic (see photo), was stopped by officers from the NRPS Traffic Enforcement Unit and 3 District uniform officers in the area of the Highway 406 and the Toronto bound Queen Elizabeth Way in the City of St. Catharines.
Two males from the Toronto area were arrested. Souleymane Camara (24 years) and Enio Martins (23 years) have each been charged with the criminal offence of:
Fraud Over $5000 (2 Counts)
Camara and Martins were both held in custody and attended a video bail hearing on August 24, 2022. They were both released from custody pending a future court date.
The investigation remains ongoing and has been assigned to detectives from the NRPS Central Fraud Unit. Detectives are releasing the accused photos and a photo of the involved grey 2007 Honda Civic (see below) as they believe there may be more victims in Niagara and possible witnesses.
Anyone with information is asked to contact detectives of the Central Fraud Unit by calling 905-688-4111, option 3, extension 1009487.
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.
Click Here For Crime Stoppers Online
2022-94851
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Retail business and financial institutions are able to receive free point of sale scam intervention training for their staff by clicking the link: NRPS Point of Sale Scam Intervention Program
To Learn more about scams visit the below sites:
Canadian Anti Fraud Centre
NRPS Fraud / Scam Awareness
