Waterloo District Police arrested the man on Saturday (April 30th) following a search for fake property rental ads in the area. During the four months from November 2021 to February 2022, fake ads for rental properties in Kitchener and Waterloo were posted on a buying and selling website, police said in a press release. Defendant contacted prospective tenants via email, text, telephone and WhatsApp, before requesting to sign a lease and send an advance via e-transfer to secure the rental. In some cases the poster would show the victim and in other cases the victim would appear ready to move, only to find that the lease was not valid. The 46-year-old Stouffville man who police believe is behind the fraud is now accused of defrauding the public, forging documents, three personality charges, money laundering, possession of an identity document and possession of a forged stamp.
POLICE BELIEVE THERE ARE MORE VICTIMS
While a total of 36 victims have been identified as of Sunday (May 1st), police believe there may be more and an investigation is under way. Investigators are encouraging anyone who thinks they have been the victim of fraud to contact them “We can always seek redress through litigation,” Waterloo District Police Officer Melissa Cuari told CTV News. “So this is one way that the victims of these scams could possibly get their money back and also prevent this from happening to other people in our community.” “Unfortunately, this is not an unusual scam we see in the community and in the countryside,” Quarrie said. He said police advise potential tenants to confirm the identity of the person they are talking to and never send money unless they have had the opportunity to see the property in person.
