Lottery fraud involves more than 100 credit cards; Mississauga woman charged

A Mississauga woman faces charges after police found one person had registered more than 100 credit cards with the online lottery website.

Investigators were tipped off of a possible fraud on the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) online site, www.OLG.ca, on April 7 this year, the OPP said.

The Investigation and Enforcement Bureau, attached to the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO), began an investigation.

A lengthy investigation found an individual had registered over 100 credit card numbers on the OLG gaming site, OPP said.

The credit card numbers had been obtained through fraudulent means, police said.

On Sept. 14, police charged Donna-Maria Lakshman, 48, of Mississauga, with 18 counts of fraud under $5,000, identity theft, and use of credit card data.

Lakshman will appear at the Ontario Court of Justice in Newmarket on Oct. 17.

Anyone who suspects they have been the victim of cybercrime or fraud should report it to their local police and to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre’s online reporting system or by phone at 1-888-495-8501.