In August 2013, the Toronto Police Financial Crimes Unit commenced an investigation dubbed "Project PACE" (Partners Against Counterfeiting Everywhere) which spanned across Canada and the United States.
The joint force operation, involving law enforcement and private industry, targeted businesses in Toronto, Peel Region, York Region, Durham Region, South Simcoe and Windsor. These businesses are alleged to be manufacturing and selling counterfeit products.
Law enforcement is fully aware that counterfeit items fund international organized crime and terrorist groups.
During the holiday season, the Toronto Police Service and its partners want to inform consumers of the potentially high risks of buying counterfeit product. The majority of customers are unaware they are purchasing low-cost, unreliable, fake goods that could pose serious health and safety risks to the public.
Search warrants resulted in the seizure of a large quantity of counterfeit luxury goods, fraudulent cosmetics, clothing, electronics, prescription drugs and TTC tokens that valued over $6.5 million.
The success of the project is attributed to the combined efforts of multiple law enforcement agencies teaming up with the private sector.
Law Enforcement Agencies Involved:
Toronto Police Service
U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI)
Royal Canadian Mounted Police
York Regional Police
Peel Regional Police
Durham Regional Police
South Simcoe Police
Canada Border Services Agency
Private Stakeholders Involved:
Kestenberg Siegal Lipkus LLP
Backlit Investigations
The Liquor Control Board of Ontario
The Toronto Transit Commission
multiple pharmaceutical and cosmetic companies
Search Warrants Executed:
Project PACE partners executed criminal code search warrants throughout Southern Ontario at the following locations:
Sunshine Excel Inc. - 100 Princess Boulevard (CNE)
Xsorize - 100 Princess Boulevard (CNE)
Kelly Distribution Ltd. - 100 Princess Boulevard (CNE)
Elements - 1550 South Gateway Road, Unit #122, Mississauga
Semi Mini Room - 4430 Sheppard Avenue East, #251
L.C Co. - 4430 Sheppard Avenue East, #250 & #391
LA Boutiques - 1257 St. Clair Avenue West
Silver Star Fashion Jewelry - 50 Silver Star Boulevard #216
Pickering Markets - 1400 Squires Beach Road, Pickering
A-Z Kitchen Needs - Hwy 400 at Innisfil Beach Road, Innisfil
Wireless Wave - 539 St. Clair Avenue West
Wireless Wave - 513 Yonge Street
Wireless Wave - 2730 Howard Avenue, Windsor
Yi Zhu, 46, of Markham, is charged with:
1) Fraud Over
2) Passing off Wares
3) Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking in Stolen Goods
Ali Mosadeq, 29, of Richmond Hill, is charged with:
1) Fraud Over
2) Passing off Wares
3) Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking in Stolen Goods
Buu Huynh, 43, of Markham, is charged with:
1) three counts of Possession Property Obtained by Crime - over
2) Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking in Stolen Goods
3) two counts of Fraud - over
4) two counts of Passing off Wares
5) Possession of Proceeds of Crime
6) Possession of Property Obtained by Crime
Kin Chan, 41, of Markham, is charged with:
1) Fraud - over
2) Passing off Wares
3) Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking in Stolen Goods
Boa Qui Xia, 46, of Markham, is charged with:
1) Fraud Over
2) Passing off Wares
3) Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking in Stolen Goods
4) Possession Property Obtained by Crime - over
Qui Fang, 42, of Markham, is charged with:
1) Fraud - over
2) Passing off Wares
3) Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking in Stolen Goods
4) Possession Property Obtained by Crime - over
Igor Stepanov, 48, of Richmond Hill, is charged with:
1) 10 counts of Possession Property Obtained by Crime - under
2) six counts Passing off Wares
Bohdan Shunevych, 32, of Mississauga, is charged with:
1) five counts of Possession Property Obtained by Crime - under
2) two counts of Passing off Wares
3) Possession of Proceeds of Property Obtained by Crime
Danny De Santos, 37, of Toronto, is charged with:
1) seven counts of Possession of Property Obtained by crime - under
2) six counts of Fraudulently possess credit card data
3) Passing off Wares
Edward Shiderman, 61, of Toronto, is charged with:
1) Possession of Property Obtained by Crime - under
2) Passing off Wares
Dan Qing Li, 30, of Toronto, is charged with:
1) Possession of Property Obtained by Crime - under
2) Possession of Counterfeit mark
3) Possession of Slugs or Tokens
4) Fraud - over
Joshua Weber, 28, of Toronto, is charged with:
1) four counts of Possession of Property Obtained by Crime - under
2) four counts of Passing off Wares
Members of the public are strongly encouraged to exercise caution when making purchases. Counterfeit goods do not meet the government consumer safety standards and may be harmful. Purchasing from a recognized authorized dealer is recommended, especially during this busy holiday season.