Fraud Charges

The Calgary Police Service has recently laid 40 charges against seven individuals in three separate fraud investigations, highlighting the importance of Fraud Prevention Month.

Payroll Fraud

Between 2006 and September 2012, a woman who was hired by multiple oil and gas companies as a payroll employee, allegedly defrauded five companies of more than $1.6-million. The employee would alter payroll deposits by either re-instating former employees, or creating fictional employees and directing their payroll deposits into her personal bank account.

After a lengthy investigation by the CPS Economic Crimes Unit, Roslyn Rhae THOMAS, 44, of Calgary, has been charged with:

six counts of defrauding a person over $5,000
three counts of theft over $5,000
two counts of possession of stolen property
two counts of uttering to deal with a forged document

Fraudulent Bank Withdrawals

On Tuesday, Dec. 18, 2012, a man attended a financial institution in the 300 block of Aspen Glen Landing S.W. He then produced fraudulent identification containing his photo and accessed a line of credit, obtained a bank draft and cash. The account belonged to a real customer of that bank, who discovered the fraudulent activity on his statement and subsequently reported it.

The bank was defrauded of more than $42,500.

Sometime between Friday, Feb. 1, 2013 and Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2013, a man attended a financial institution in the 300 block of 58 Avenue S.E., and attempted to obtain a line of credit using counterfeit identification. No funds were obtained and the man was arrested as he left the premises.

Ian Campbell ADAMS, 34, of Calgary is charged with:

two counts of identity theft
two counts of identity fraud – personation with intent to gain advantage
three counts of possess, sell or offer identity documents
three counts of utter to deal with a forged document
two counts to defraud a person over $5,000

Fraudulent Credit Card Ring

Over the period of a few weeks at the end of February, 2013, a group of five people allegedly defrauded an automotive and audio parts store located in the 2200 block of Pegasus Road N.E. of more than $44,000.

The suspects would attempt to make purchases and orders of high-end auto and audio equipment using fraudulent credit and gift cards.

The point of sale provider contacted the store to alert them to the fraudulent transactions and the store subsequently reported it to police.

The suspects were then arrested when they arrived to pick up their fraudulently purchased items. The suspects arrived in a stolen vehicle and within the vehicle fraudulent credit cards and lists of credit card data were found.

Christopher ARQUILLANO, 35, of Calgary, has been charged with one count each of:

fraud under $5,000
possession of credit card data
possession of a counterfeit credit card
theft of identification
identity fraud

Rebecca LAFRENIERE, 31, of Calgary, has been charged with one count each of:

theft over $5,000
theft of identification
possession of credit card data

Rodolfo LOPEZ, 35, of Calgary, has been charged with one count each of:

possession of credit card data
theft of identification

Tyler SCHATSCHNEIDER, 25, of Calgary, has been charged with one count each of:

theft of identification
fraud over $5,000
possession of a concealed weapon
carrying a prohibited weapon
weapon dangerous to public peace

Norman ATUTUBO, 38, of Calgary, has been charged with one count of fraud under $5,000.

If you suspect you have been a victim of identity theft or fraud, contact police or the Canadian Anti-fraud Call Centre toll-free from anywhere in North America, at 1-888-495-8501, or visit www.antifraudcentre.ca.