More victims come forward in fraud case; additional charges filed

Durham police have laid more charges in connection with a fraud that saw an Oshawa widow lose thousands of dollars – and investigators now say there were more victims.

Project Banshee was launched in the spring after the fraud against the 89-year-old woman were first uncovered. According to police, a group of people had acquired and then used her credit card. Following this, they took a mortgage out on the property, which saw the senior face eviction after a default in the payments. Police estimate she lost approximately $160,000.

As a result of the investigation, police identified a second person, also from Oshawa, who had been befriended by the group. According to police, the group acquired power of attorney status in the victim’s name, using it to acquire credit cards and a mortgage. The victim sustained losses of more than $325,000 as a result.

Police say one of the group’s members also attempted to defraud a North Durham charity of $525,000.

A 50-year-old male of Elizabeth Street in Oshawa is now facing 27 charges, including participation in a criminal organization, fraud over $5,000, false pretenses, unauthorized use of a credit card, uttering a forged document and possession of the proceeds of crime over $5,000.

A 66-year-old male of Prince Edward Island is now facing 22 charges, including participation in a criminal organization, fraud under $5,000, unauthorized use of a credit card and possession of stolen property.

A 28-year-old female of Elizabeth Street in Oshawa is now facing 18 charges, including participation in a criminal organization, fraud under $5,000, unauthorized use of a credit card and possession of property obtained by crime.

A 42-year-old Oshawa male of no fixed addressed has been charged with conspiracy to commit, fraud over $5,000 and possession of proceeds obtained by crime.

Anyone with further information on this investigation is asked to call Det. Const. Franssen at 1-888-579-1520, ext. 6465.