A FAKE PHOTO of the suspect is blurred by police because it is not the same person listed in their profile. Halton Police photo.
A Mississauga man is behind bars for allegedly using three aliases to pose as online lovers to defraud elderly women searching for company on the web.
Police said a probe was launched in January 2019 after an Oakville woman was scammed of about $70.000 by an online Romeo.
“The suspect would initiate and maintain contact with his victims through email and text, establish trust through this remote relationship and convince them to transfer funds,” according to Halton Regional Police Service Fraud Unit.
Police said the investigation revealed the names of other women who were scammed nationwide.
POLICE allege the suspect defrauded elderly women across the country of as much as $370,000.
“Following a lengthy investigation, and the identification of several other victims across the country, the suspect was identified,” Halton police said.
“The suspect used a number of aliases and targeted older adult victims across Canada, with reported losses totaling approximately $370,000,” police allege.
Fraud Unit officers issued a warrant on March 17 and searched a Mississauga apartment.
Toju Ariri, 34, of Mississauga, is charged with six counts of fraud over $5,000 and is scheduled to appear in court at a later date.
Police allege the suspect was operating under different names; including Dante Leonardo, Sean Bruno and Jason Roberto.
Officers allege fake images were used in creating dating profiles accompanying the aliases.
Some of the images were released by police. They photos were blurred because they are not of the accused.
The false photos were obtained online and the people are not involved with the scams in any way shape or form, according to police.
For more information, call the Halton Regional Police Service Fraud Unit at 905-825-4747 ext. 8741.
Tips can also be submitted anonymously to Crime Stoppers. “See something? Hear something? Know something? Contact Crime Stoppers” at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or visit www.haltoncrimestoppers.ca.