Toronto (April 21, 2020) – The Toronto police are looking for a group of people who are suspected to be involved in roofing frauds in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) between January and February 2020. The suspects are accused of obtaining money from GTA residents for roof work, although no work was ever completed. Some residents were left with holes in their roofs. The suspects are wanted for Theft Over $5,000, Fraud Over $5,000, and Possession of Property Obtained by Crime.

The Toronto police asked for the public’s assistance in a roofing frauds investigation in a press release from April 17. The police are looking for a group of people who are allegedly involved in door-to-door scams that were reported from several residents in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA).

Roofing scammers targeting GTA residents

The Toronto police were informed of a series of roofing scams by Toronto residents between January and February 2020. The alleged victims reported that a group of five men and a woman approached them. The suspects claimed to be roofers and City inspectors with PROfix Roofing and T-City Property Maintenance.

0417 15:10 Roofing Fraud Invsts, Men And Woman Wanted, Photographs Rlsd https://t.co/keRYwn8Fnd

— Toronto Police (@TorontoPolice) April 17, 2020

They advised the residents that their roof needed to be fixed and threatened that the city would condemn their property if the claimed roof work would not be realized. Thereafter, the suspects obtained an initial deposit and apparently began the work.

Later on, they approached their victims again and advised that their roof needed additional work. They then explained that there were structural issues with the roof, or that a crane was required to complete the job. Subsequently, the roofing rogues requested more funds from their victims. The police sources report that they ‘obtained as much money as they could and never returned to complete the work.’

Police released suspects’ photographs in roofing frauds investigation

The Toronto police requested the public’s assistance identifying and locating the suspects who left their victims with financial losses and some with holes in their roofs. The authorities released photographs and a description of each suspect:

• Man # 1 – approximately 40, 220 – 240 lbs, 5’10”, short-cropped red hair, receding hairline, had an Irish accent, and identified himself as Anthony Murphy or Dave Murphy
• Man # 2 – mid-30s, 200 – 230 lbs, approximately 5’7”, dark hair, some balding at the crown, had an Irish accent, and identified himself as Liam or Allen Murphy
• Man # 3 – mid to late 30s, 220 – 250 lbs, approximately 5’9”, with short dark hair and had an Irish accent
• Man # 4 – 25 – 30 years
• Man # 5 – 25 – 30 years, short brown hair and had an Irish accent
• Man # 6 – 25 – 40 years, medium build, with a red-colored beard
• Man # 7 – 25 – 40 years, heavyset, and balding
• Woman # 1 – 25 – 40 years, thin build, long black hair, heavy make-up and had an Irish accent

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They were observed operating a red Ford F150 pickup truck with Ontario license plate number BB10569. Once the fraudulent roofers are apprehended, they will face charges including Theft Over $5,000, Fraud Over $5,000, and Possession of Property Obtained by Crime.

Read more: 10 more charges for roofing scammer as more victims come forward

In their press release, the Toronto Police Service urges homeowners to exercise caution when dealing with contractors who solicit business door-to-door in neighborhoods. ‘The public is reminded that, in commercial transactions, they should always verify the identity of a person or business before deciding to trust that person or business.’

Anyone with information is asked to contact Toronto police at 416-808-1200 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477).