Accused ‘fake agent’ scammer caught with over $36K in electronic devices in Ontario

Police have charged a Milton man after victims were defrauded over $36,000 in a cellphone resale scam.

The Halton Regional Police Service says one arrest has been made after victims were scammed by a suspect posing as an agent for a telecommunications company.

The “fake agent” fraud sees scammers manipulate victims into purchasing a new phone or other device through their existing account, often after being falsely told the device will be free, investigators in Halton say.

But after the victim receives the device, the scammer then contacts them again and claims there was an error. The victims are instructed to return the device to a PO Box controlled by the scammer, and are then shipped overseas to be resold for profit.

Investigators with the HRPS say officers were alerted to a number of fraudulent packages headed to a PO Box in Milton. Police conducted surveillance and arrested a suspect while he was picking up the packages on July 9.

Halton police say Adnan Asghar, 42, of Milton has been charged with fraud over $5,000, possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000 and laundering proceeds of crime.

Police say the accused was in possession of 22 electronic devices, including iPhones, iPads and Samsung Galaxy phones, valued at more than $36,000 at the time of his arrest.

“Members of the public are reminded to use extreme caution when receiving unsolicited calls claiming to be from telecommunications providers and should never ship newly purchased devices to a third party,” Halton police said in a release.

Anyone with information about this incident can contact the OPP by calling 1-888-310-1122. Anonymous tips may also be provided to Crime Stoppers by calling 1-800-222-8477 or visiting www.ontariocrimestoppers.ca.

When you contact Crime Stoppers you stay anonymous, never have to testify, and could receive a $2,000 reward.