Mississauga woman loses more than $250,000 in ‘romance scam’: Police

A 26-year-old Toronto man is facing fraud charges after a 73-year-old Mississauga woman was allegedly cheated out of more than $250,000 in cryptocurrency via a so-called “romance scam.”

Peel Regional Police say the woman met a man through an online dating website in September 2022 and the pair “began communicating daily via text and phone calls.”

According to fraud investigators, the man claimed to own an oil rig in the Middle East and told the woman he needed money urgently.

He “promised to repay the victim and that they would eventually meet in person,” police said in a news release. “The victim only communicated with the (man) electronically” and never met him in person.

After seeing a media report about “romance scams,” the woman realized she’d been targeted, police say.

“The victim was deceived into sending over $250,000 to the (man) via cryptocurrency.”

Police say they executed a search warrant on Wednesday at a man’s home in Toronto. They seized “high-value” jewellery, a luxury vehicle and proceeds related to the offences.

Chimezie Nwabueze, 26, of Toronto, is charged with fraud over $5,000, possession of property obtained by crime (two counts), utter forged documents and identity fraud.

He’ll appear again in Brampton court on Dec. 11.

Investigators believe there may be more victims and are asking anyone with information pertaining to this matter to call police at 905-453-3311, ext. 3335, or Peel Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

Police remind residents to be “cautious and vigilant when meeting people online, especially when requests for money/gift cards” and so forth are made.

They add that “fraudsters will use any means necessary to persuade you that their requests are legitimate. Protect yourself and your family, and always avoid sending money or personal information to someone you have not met in person.”

More information is available by contacting the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre or visiting the Peel police website.