Hundreds defrauded in door-to-door Ontario scam, Canada-wide warrants issued

globalnews.ca:

Ontario Provincial Police say they have uncovered a door-to-door sales fraud operation that victimized more than 200 older and vulnerable residents in Ontario.

Members of Ontario’s serious fraud office have arrested two individuals, and Canada-wide arrest warrants have been issued for three others.

More than 200 victims were identified throughout the province.

“It is evident this fraud has been financially, emotionally, and physically devastating for many victims across the province. Victims of this fraud were provided support from investigators and SFO victim support services throughout the investigation,” a statement from police reads.

Collingwood provincial police started first looking into the door-to-door fraud in the summer of 2021. The case was later referred to the serious fraud office in February of 2022.

The investigation, dubbed Project Nettle, alleges that salespeople were sent to the homes of older adults and vulnerable people.

Once there, police say victims unknowingly entered into home service or renovation agreements at exorbitant prices.

“Many victims believed they were getting services/installations and renovations for free through government grants or rebates,” police say.

Organizers of this fraud then used the fake agreements to register notice of security interests, similar to liens against victims’ homes, without their knowledge, according to police. These agreements were paid off to the benefit of the fraud organizers using fraudulent, high-interest mortgages against the victims’ homes.

Det. Const. Erin Fraser says in many cases, the victims only became aware of the lien or mortgage on their home when they went to sell it.

“The victimization in this fraud was devastating. For one … there were many