Mississauga resident, 43, faces charges in loan-sharking probe
Thi Thao Ho is accused of extortion, money laundering and illegal lending of money at a criminal rate of interest in Ontario land-based casinos
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A Mississauga resident is accused of extortion, money laundering and the illegal lending of money at a criminal rate of interest within Ontario land-based casinos following a year-long loan-sharking investigation.
Ontario Provincial Police say Project Evening – an investigation into loan-sharking activity at casinos within the GTA – was launched in the spring of 2024.
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“This investigation was conducted by the OPP Game Protection and Anti-Money Laundering Unit and IEB Casino Investigations Unit in Toronto, in partnership with Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (FINTRAC),” the OPP said in a statement released Friday.
As a result of the investigation, police say OPP, Peel Regional Police and York Regional Police officers executed a search warrant at a residence in Mississauga.
A suspect was identified and arrested on Tuesday.
Thi Thao Ho, 43, is charged with criminal interest rate, extortion, laundering proceeds of crime and possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000.
The accused is expected to appear in court in Toronto on June 11.
The OPP is urging members of the public who have been victimized by loan sharks to come forward and report their experiences.
“Your information can help stop these illegal practices and protect others from falling victim,” police said.
Anyone with any information regarding this investigation is urged to call the OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
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