Children used in alleged $55,000 bank scam, couple from Brampton face dozens of charges

Police say they’ve laid nearly 80 charges in a years-long fraud investigation where a pair from Brampton allegedly used children to help with a $55,000 bank scam.

The incidents happened between May and July of 2022 when the Guelph Police Service say a man and woman from Brampton visited multiple TD Canada Trust branches around Southern Ontario.

The couple of alleged scammers usually had one or more young children with them when they came to the branches and opened bank accounts under false names, police said.

The pair also presented forged cheques “from a well-known employer” claiming they urgently needed cash “to feed their children,” and in some cases, investigators say the ploy convinced bank tellers to waive a hold period on the deposits.

Police say the couple then allegedly went to ATM locations and deposited even more cheques before withdrawing as much cash as possible from the accounts.

The total loss to TD is estimated at more than $55,000, according to police.

Investigators say a 26-year-old Brampton man turned himself in back in December and faces multiple fraud offences, while a 26-year-old Brampton woman was arrested on Thursday and faces a total of 77 fraud-related charges.

Police have not disclosed the identities of the accused, or when they are scheduled to make any future court appearances.

Anyone with information about these incidents can contact the Guelph Police Service by calling (519) 824-1212. Anonymous tips may also be submitted by calling 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or by visiting www.crimestoppers.ca.