London (December 9, 2020) – The police arrested the London man, Jesse James Edwards, who was wanted for a series of fraud incidents. Between September 23 and November 14, three victims reported being defrauded by a man who approached them and asked for cash to pay his ride home. But the e-transferred money, he promised in exchange, never arrived. On December 8, the London police arrested Edwards.
The London police arrested the local man, Jesse James Edwards, who was wanted for a series of similar fraud incidents throughout the city of London, according to a press release issued on November 30 and updated on December 8.
A series of fraud incidents
Between September 23 and November 14, three victims reported to the London police they had been defrauded. The victims of this series of fraud incidents said they were approached in different locations throughout London such as sidewalks and parking lots. The suspect allegedly asked them for assistance in paying for a ride home.
The 28-year-old allegedly claimed that he needed cash and offered to repay the victims via e-transfer. ‘After seeing what is held out to be proof of the completed e-transfer, the victim provided the suspect with cash in the same amount,’ explained the police. ‘In each case, there was in fact no e-transfer of money made.’
One of the victims took a photo of the suspect, which was provided to the police and used for his identification.
Fraud suspect sought arrested
After the London police’s Financial Crime Unit announced on November 30 that they laid charges against Edwards including two counts of Fraud Under $5,000 and two counts of Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Under $5,000, the London man has been arrested in relation to his outstanding warrants on December 8.
Police are thanking the public for sharing the information on the suspect and reminded the public that providing money to a stranger under circumstances such as these is not advisable.
Investigators believe that there may be more victims of similar cases and are interested in speaking with anyone who may have information related to this series of fraud incidents.
The police asked anyone with information to call the London Police Service Fraud Intake line at (519) 661-5515, extension 5257 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
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