The anatomy of a stolen home — and how 3 suspects got caught

CBC News has learned exclusive details behind an alleged title fraud in January that led to 3 arrests. It began as a typical phone call for Niroosan (Niro) Vivekanantharajah — someone who found him on Google, asking for his help in closing a home...

Multi-layered door-to-door sales scam could cost you your home

"A person visits you and says you have won a class-action lawsuit regarding the installation of your equipment and the money can only be used toward renovations to your home" Ontario's Serious Fraud Office (SFO) is shining a light on a multi-layered door-to-door sales...

Ontario regulator warns real estate agents to watch for signs of fraudulent home sales

The body that regulates Ontario's 100,000 real estate agents and brokers is urging them to be more vigilant when verifying the identity of a client, amid a wave of fraudulent home sales and mortgages in the Toronto area. The Real Estate Council of...

Title fraud on the rise, property owners need to protect themselves

It’s difficult to imagine someone could sell a home without the owner knowing – or that a purchase could be made under fraudulent terms without the buyer realizing – but situations like this are happening right now in Canada. The number of people whose homes are being...

6 plaintiffs from Toronto’s Chinese community accuse broker of mortgage fraud

It's been more than three years, but Yan Ting "Tina" Li says she still remembers meeting Po Yuk "Peggy" Chan at a Thanksgiving party. The 45-year-old mother of four says Chan struck her as compassionate and pious, and took an instant liking to her. "I thought she was...

How organized crime has mortgaged or sold at least 30 GTA homes without owners’ knowledge

Future of title insurance could be at risk if this real estate fraud trend continues. A year ago, Melissa Walsh says police assured her family it only happened to them. Fraudsters nearly sold her great uncle's east end Toronto home without the family's knowledge. "We...

How thieves stole a Toronto condo in ‘total title fraud’, selling it for $970,000

The professional photographs posted on a property tour website last year show Moffy Yu's condo in downtown Toronto, a light-filled two-bedroom home with floor-to-ceiling windows framing sweeping views from the tallest residential tower in Canada. Documents provided by...

Founders of mortgage investment firm Fortress Real Developments Inc. charged with fraud

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police have charged two men with fraud in connection with a syndicated mortgages scheme involving Fortress Real Developments, following a years-long investigation. Jawad Rathore of Markham, Ont., and Vince Petrozza of Richmond Hill, Ont.,...

Canada-wide warrant for Toronto man in a $10M mortgage fraud investigation

A Canada-wide warrant has been issued for a man wanted in an investigation into alleged mortgage frauds valued at more than $10 million, Toronto police say. Multiple mortgage frauds have been reported to police. Investigators said they believe a...

Private Mortgage Broker “Lucas” wanted by Toronto Police for Fraud

On December 23, 2021, the Toronto Police issued a press release seeking the public’s assistance to identify a man posing as a private mortgage broker: http://torontopolice.on.ca/newsreleases/51793?s=09 If you have any information on this person, and you wish to...

Mortgage Fraud

Casting a light on elder financial abuse on World Elder Abuse Awareness Day

Casting a light on elder financial abuse on World Elder Abuse Awareness Day

June 15, 2020 – Elder abuse is a serious and growing problem. June 15 is the ‘World Elder Abuse Awareness Day’, which provides an opportunity for communities to promote a better understanding of the abuse and threats that older persons are facing by raising awareness...

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