The Toronto Police Service would like to inform the community of an arrest in a Fraud investigation.
On Wednesday, January 13, 2016, officers became aware of, and started an investigation into, frauds allegedly committed at various Money Mart locations across the city.
It is alleged that:
- a man had been utilizing stolen mail to gather the identities of people
- he created fake IDs utilizing the information from the stolen mail
- he substituted his own picture and created false bank statements and other government documentation
- he opened numerous accounts at various Money Mart locations
- he cashed stolen pay and fake cheques through these accounts
- he received loans under the fake names and accounts
On Friday, January 15, 2016, at 1:35 p.m., Gideon Jericho Garcia, 45, of Toronto, was arrested. He is charged with:
1) Fraud Over $5000
2) 13 counts of Identity Theft
3) 11 counts of Personation
4) 11 counts of Utter Forged Documents
5) Possession of Counterfeit Mark
6) Possession of an Identity Document
7) Possession of Instruments Used to Commit Fraud
It is further alleged that:
- a search warrant was executed on his home
- equipment necessary to create the identities was located and seized
He appeared in court at Old City Hall on Saturday, January 16, 2016, 9 a.m., room 101.
Police offer the following tips in relation to these types of identity thefts:
1) Be vigilant with your mail. Open mailboxes are targeted in these types of frauds
2) Check your mail regularly and, if possible, utilize a lock on your open mailbox
3) Ensure the mail is being placed properly through the mail slots and empty your mail slots to avoid overcrowded boxes
4) Be mindful of when your driver’s licence renewals, government cheques and personal documents are being delivered
5) Be mindful of any mail welcoming you as a new customer at ANY financial busines (Money Mart, Cash For You, etc.)
Police believe there may be other victims.
Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 416-808-5500, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477), online at www.222tips.com, text TOR and your message to CRIMES (274637). Download the free Crime Stoppers Mobile App on iTunes, Google Play or Blackberry App World.
Please download the Toronto Police Service Mobile App for iOS or Android.
For more news, visit TPSnews.ca.
On Wednesday, January 13, 2016, officers became aware of, and started an investigation into, frauds allegedly committed at various Money Mart locations across the city.
It is alleged that:
- a man had been utilizing stolen mail to gather the identities of people
- he created fake IDs utilizing the information from the stolen mail
- he substituted his own picture and created false bank statements and other government documentation
- he opened numerous accounts at various Money Mart locations
- he cashed stolen pay and fake cheques through these accounts
- he received loans under the fake names and accounts
On Friday, January 15, 2016, at 1:35 p.m., Gideon Jericho Garcia, 45, of Toronto, was arrested. He is charged with:
1) Fraud Over $5000
2) 13 counts of Identity Theft
3) 11 counts of Personation
4) 11 counts of Utter Forged Documents
5) Possession of Counterfeit Mark
6) Possession of an Identity Document
7) Possession of Instruments Used to Commit Fraud
It is further alleged that:
- a search warrant was executed on his home
- equipment necessary to create the identities was located and seized
He appeared in court at Old City Hall on Saturday, January 16, 2016, 9 a.m., room 101.
Police offer the following tips in relation to these types of identity thefts:
1) Be vigilant with your mail. Open mailboxes are targeted in these types of frauds
2) Check your mail regularly and, if possible, utilize a lock on your open mailbox
3) Ensure the mail is being placed properly through the mail slots and empty your mail slots to avoid overcrowded boxes
4) Be mindful of when your driver’s licence renewals, government cheques and personal documents are being delivered
5) Be mindful of any mail welcoming you as a new customer at ANY financial busines (Money Mart, Cash For You, etc.)
Police believe there may be other victims.
Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 416-808-5500, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477), online at www.222tips.com, text TOR and your message to CRIMES (274637). Download the free Crime Stoppers Mobile App on iTunes, Google Play or Blackberry App World.
Please download the Toronto Police Service Mobile App for iOS or Android.
For more news, visit TPSnews.ca.