Four arrested in $1.9 million money laundering scheme in Uxbridge

Four people wanted in a $1.9 million cheque fraud investigation this spring have now been arrested and are facing multiple fraud charges, with three of the four also charged with money laundering.

Durham Police said Helia Bayegan of Richmond Hill visited a bank in Uxbridge on March 16 and cashed a fraudulent cheque worth more than $1.9 million. Between March 16 and March 20 it is alleged that she, along with three men, conducted a series of bank transfers, withdrawals, e-transfers, wire payments and completed bank drafts to launder and take possession of these funds.

The suspects were able to obtain more than $890,000 before all funds were frozen.

Following an investigation by the DRPS Financial Crimes Unit all four suspects were located and taken into custody.

Bayegan, 50, from Richmond Hill is charged with money laundering, fraud over $5,000, uttering forged documents and possession of stolen property.

Arvin Singh Dhaliwal, 28, of Wasaga Beach and Peyman Pornour, 45, of North York are both charged with money laundering and possession of stolen property.

Yiang Leng, 30 from Toronto is charged with possession of the proceeds of crime over $5,000.

All were released on an Undertaking.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact D/Cst. Peden of the Financial Crimes Unit at 1-888-579-1520 ext. 5241.

Anonymous information can be sent to Durham Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or online at www.durhamregionalcrimestoppers.ca and tipsters may be eligible for a cash reward.