Oakville woman, four others charged in romantic online scam operating in Burlington

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Published September 15, 2021 at 3:56 pm

An Oakville woman and four others have been charged in a romantic online phishing scam operating in Burlington that defrauded the victim of more than $150,000.

The Halton Regional Police Service (HRPS) 3 District Criminal Investigation Bureau says the series of frauds, given the investigative title Operation Silver Fox, began in October and November of 2020.

A senior victim was contacted online by a person claiming to be a retired Canadian Army Sergeant (named Darren Michaelson) and an online romantic relationship ensued.

Over a number of weeks, the senior was deceived into sending more than $150,000 to people they believed were assisting Michaelson with legal troubles and assistance returning to Canada.

A 21-year-old female of Oakville has been arrested and charged with:

  • Fraud Over $5,000
  • Possession of Property Obtained by Crime over $5,000
  • Laundering the Proceeds of Crime

A 38-year-old female from of London has been arrested and charged with:

  • Fraud Over $5,000
  • A 36 year old male of Toronto has been arrested and charged with:
  • Fraud Under $5,000

A 35-year-old male of Toronto has been arrested and charged with:

  • Fraud Over $5,000
  • Possession of Property Obtained by Crime over $5,000
  • Laundering the Proceeds of Crime

A 28-year-old male of Toronto has been arrested and charged with:

  • Fraud Over $5,000
  • Laundering the Proceeds of Crime

Police anticipate Operation Silver Fox will lead to further arrests and also believe there may be additional victims.

They want to remind residents of the danger and frequency of these types of scam and ask them not send money or gift cards to persons they have not met in person.

Police Do not provide your personal information such as financial documents, identification or passwords when communicating online.

More information on the scams can be found on the Anti-Fraud Centre website at https://www.antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca/index-eng.htm or the Halton Regional Police Service website at

https://www.haltonpolice.ca/en/staying-safe/frauds-and-scams.aspx.

According to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Center, online romance scams took more than $7.3 million from Canadians in 2020 alone.

Anyone with information regarding this investigation is asked to contact Detective Constable Derek Gray of the Burlington Criminal Investigations Bureau – Seniors Liaison Team at 905-825-4747, ext. 2344.

Tips can also be submitted anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or through the web at www.haltoncrimestoppers.ca.

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