$400,000 romance scam broken up by Mississauga and Brampton cops

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Published March 10, 2023 at 4:31 pm

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Police in Mississauga and Brampton have stopped an alleged romance fraud saying a Toronto woman scammed more than $400,000 from a single victim.

Peel Regional Police say investigators had been looking into what they’re calling a romance scam after someone sent $80,000 to a suspect.

Investigators say the victim was deceived into sending more than $400,000 in e-transfers to various accounts in Canada and Turkey.

Police arrested a Toronto woman on Wednesday (March 8) but say the investigation is still ongoing.

Cynthia Chiazor, 37, of Toronto has been charged with one count of Possession of Property Obtained by Crime.

The accused was released on an undertaking and is scheduled to appear at the Ontario Court of Justice in Brampton on May 1. None of the allegations have been proven in court.

While Peel police laid charges in this incident a spokesperson for PRP said the victim is not a resident of Mississauga or Brampton, but from outside of Ontario. The spokesperson said Peel police were the ones to lay charges because some of the e-transfers laned at financial institutions in Peel.

The incident has police warning the public that scammers will use “any means necessary” to convince you that their requests are legitimate.

“Protect yourself, and always avoid sending money or personal information to someone you haven’t met,” police said in a statement.

Anyone with information on this incident is asked to contact the Peel Regional Police Fraud Bureau at 905-453-3311 ext. 3335. Information may also be left anonymously by calling Peel Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or by visiting www.peelcrimestoppers.ca.

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