A Toronto woman is facing charges in connection with an alleged international phone scam targeting seniors.
An investigation began in December 2021 after the Greater Toronto RCMP Transnational Organized Crime (TSOC) unit received information from the RCMP in Prince Edward Island.
RCMP said the investigation began when an elderly Canadian man was defrauded of more than $20,000.
“Scammers posed as representatives from ‘Reader’s Digest’ or ‘Publishers Clearing House’ telling ‘winners’ that they won a car or prize money but would have to pay a small fee to cover taxes, fees legal or delivery. fees,” the RCMP said in a news release Wednesday.
The RCMP said they also investigated the use of a “money mule,” which helps move a victim’s funds to a criminal organization and aids in the money laundering process.
In this particular case, the RCMP said, the money was sent from Canada to an account in Jamaica.
On Wednesday, the RCMP announced that a non-resident currently residing in Toronto was arrested in the case.
Phylecca Smith, 31, faces three charges, including fraud over $5,000, and possession and laundering proceeds of crime.
“Economic and financial crimes threaten the Canadian economy and therefore take funds away from hard-working Canadians,” the superintendent said in a statement. Ann Koenig, Greater Toronto Area District Commander – TSOC. “The RCMP is committed to protecting Canada’s finances. integrity, especially when citizens are targeted by criminal organizations.”
A bail hearing for Smith was held in Toronto on July 27.
Smith was released by the courts, but remains in custody on an immigration hold by the Canada Border Services Agency due to her non-status in Canada, the RCMP say.
Police did not say where Smith’s primary residence is.
The RCMP issued a reminder urging people to report fraudulent activity to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Center online or by calling 1-888-495-8501.