Real estate scams take at least $1.4 million from victims in Mississauga, Brampton and across GTA
Published August 25, 2023 at 4:11 pm
Two men and a pair of unknown suspects are being hunted by police in connection with a series of real estate scams in Mississauga, Brampton and across the GTA that stole homeowners’ identities and defrauded victims out of more than $1.4 million.
Fraud investigators with Peel Regional Police are searching for Duc Thai Luu, 58, and Keith Edmondson, 34, both of no fixed address.
Police are asking the public for help in finding those two men in addition to an unknown man and woman also sought in connection with the real estate frauds, which occurred across the GTA last year.
Investigators say that between June and October of 2022, a number of people rented multiple properties across the GTA using fraudulent identifications.
Duc Thai Luu, 58, of no fixed address.
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In one circumstance, police say that after the property was empty, the “renters” took over the property owner’s identity, opened accounts under their name, sold the property and deposited money into a fraudulent account.
In another case, the people took over the property owner’s identity, opened accounts under their name, took out a second mortgage on the property and deposited the money into a fraudulent account.
Keith Edmondson, 34.
In each case, the victims were bilked out of nearly $700,000, investigators say.
Police did not say how many other victims were defrauded in a similar manner.
Police believe the people responsible for the frauds operate similar scams throughout all of Ontario.
Warrants have been issued for the arrests of Luu and Edmondson on charges that include fraud over $5,000, identity fraud and possession of proceeds of crime.
The first unknown suspect being sought by police is described as an Asian man, 20 to 30 years old, with a light complexion, thin build and short black hair with brown highlights.
Unknown male suspect.
The second is described as an Asian woman, with a light complexion, thin build and long black hair. She has a tattoo on her upper shoulders/lower neck.
Police urge people to educate themselves on real estate and other frauds by visiting the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre and Peel Regional Police websites.
Anyone with information on the GTA real estate scams or the suspects is asked to call fraud investigators at 905-453-3311, ext. 3335, or Peel Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
Unknown female suspect. (All photos: Peel Regional Police)
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