Oshawa teenagers charged in online marketplace fake cash scam

Two Oshawa teenagers are facing fraud charges after police say they used online marketplaces to buy cell phones with counterfeit currency.

Durham Regional Police say a 17-year-old girl and a 15-year-old boy used fake online accounts between January and April to contact at least 15 victims through virtual buy and sell market places, including Facebook Marketplace, and Kijiji.

The suspects would arrange to meet the victims at different locations across Oshawa to purchase a cell phone, police allege. During each interaction with the victims, the pair would exchange counterfeit cash for a cell phone before fleeing.

Further investigation identified both suspects had obtained more then $6,800 in cell phones in this way.

On Sunday, June 21, the 17-year-old was located and arrested in relation to a separate police investigation. On Sunday, July 5, the 15-year-old was arrested, also in relation to a separate police investigation.

A 17-year-old female was charged with two counts of fraud under $5,000 and two counts of uttering counterfeit currency.

A 15-year-old male was charged with fraud over $5,000, fraud under $5,000 and 14 counts of uttering counterfeit currency.

The 17-year-old was released on an Undertaking. The 15-year-old was held for a bail hearing.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact D/Cst. Kane of the Financial Crimes Unit at 1-888-579-1520 ext. 5371.