Charges have been laid following a lottery scheme that cost a senior citizen over $200,000.
A joint investigation between the High River RCMP and the agency’s Federal Policing Integrated Money Laundering Investigative Team has resulted in charges against two individuals for fraud and money laundering offences.
Following a complex investigation into a report of a senior citizen being defrauded of more than $200,000 in a lottery scheme, two individuals were identified and a Canada-wide warrant was issued for their arrest in June, the RCMP said in a media release.
On June 21, a 21-year-old individual was arrested at Toronto Pearson International Airport after attempting to travel to Edmonton from Jamaica. Several days later, a 23-year-old individual turned himself in to Grande Prairie RCMP.
“This investigation is a reminder to all that scammers will go to any length to defraud Canadians and they often involve organized crime groups operating outside our borders,” said Insp. Stephen Reid.
Dwayne-Ann Aaliyah Johnson, 21, a resident of Edmonton, was arrested and charged with:
- Fraud contrary to section 380(1)(a) of the Criminal Code;
- Possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000 contrary to section 355(a) of the Criminal Code;
- Laundering proceeds of crime contrary to section 462.31(1)(a) of the Criminal Code; and,
- Use, trafficking or possession of a forged document contrary to section 368(1)(a) of the Criminal Code.
Romeo Junior Spence, 23, a resident of Alberta, was arrested and charged with:
- Fraud contrary to section 380(1)(a) of the Criminal Code;
- Possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000 contrary to section 355(a) of the Criminal Code; and,
- Laundering proceeds of crime contrary to section 462.31(1)(a) of the Criminal Code.
Spence is scheduled to appear in Okotoks provincial court on July 21, while Johnson is scheduled to appear on July 28.
“This investigation highlights the RCMP’s ability to bring together multiple investigational units to deter and solve complex crimes,” said High River RCMP S/Sgt Greg Weibe.
If you are unsure of whether or not you are being targeted by a scam, visit the Government of Canada’s website to learn about common scam-types. If you have been the victim of fraud, report it to your local law enforcement and to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre online at www.antifraudcentre.ca, or by calling 1-888-495-8501. Be sure to contact your bank and credit card company if you believe your personal or financial information has been compromised.
The mandate of The Federal Integrated Money Laundering Investigation Team (IMLIT) is to build integrated partnerships with policing partners and other federal agencies, specifically the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA), the Forensic Accounting Management Group (FAMG) and the Public Prosecution Service of Canada (PPSC). The integrated team allows the RCMP to be more intelligence-led, maximizing its integrated approach to identify, seize, restrain and forfeit illicit and unreported wealth accumulated by organized crime groups.
