Ontario Construction News staff writer
The OPP-led Serious Fraud Office has made two arrests while Canada-wide warrants have been issued for three suspects still at large in connection with a door-to-door home renovation scam police say has victimized more than 200 Ontario residents.
“These scams targeted older and vulnerable people, who unknowingly entered into home service and/or renovation agreements believing they were getting services for free through government grants or rebates,” the OPP said in a news release. It said the accused entered the homes of victims to initiate the agreements at exorbitant prices.
The accused then used the fake agreements to register Notice of Security Interests, similar to liens, against victims’ homes without their knowledge.
“Later, these NOSIs were paid off to the benefit of the fraud organizers using fraudulent, high-interest mortgages against the victims’ homes. In many cases, this fraud left the victims in financial peril; and in some cases, forced the victims to sell their homes,” the OPP said.
“It is evident this fraud has been financially, emotionally, and physically devastating for many victims across the province.”
The OPP said investigators conducted more than 230 interviews during the investigation dubbed Project Nettle that began in 2021.
The three outstanding suspects are 23-year-old Anas Ayyoub of Toronto, 33-year-old Muhammad Waqar Afzal of Pickering and 28-year-old Muhammad Wasiq Afzal of Scarborough. They are wanted on charges including fraud over $5,000 and possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000.
Thirty-nine-year-old Rajivan Thillaindarajah from Mississauga and 40-year-old Sajjad Ahmad from Scarborough have been arrested and taken into custody. Thillaindarajah has been charged with fraud over $5,000, possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000, laundering proceeds of crime, and conspiracy to commit an indictable offence.
Ahmad is facing two counts of fraud over $5,000.
Police are asking anyone with information to contact them at 1-833-941-5865 or at OP*********@*pp.ca.
The Serious Fraud Office provides financial crime investigative services to the provincial police force, its partners and stakeholders.
