Toronto taxi scam dupes hundreds of victims of $500Gs, nets 11 people charges

Article content

Toronto cops say they have busted a criminal network responsible for a fraud scheme where fake taxis duped passengers out of their debit or credit cards to total losses exceeding $500,000.

Police have charged 11 people with 108 combined charges in connection with the fake taxi scam investigation known as Project Fare.

Cops allege the suspects posed as taxi drivers using vehicles modified to resemble licensed cabs and picked up passengers — often targeting late-night patrons coming out of bars, clubs or theatres.

The victims were told to pay with cards only, then during the transaction, the drivers swapped the victim’s card with a similar-looking one, retaining the real card and PIN number, police allege.

“The real card and their PIN is then passed on to accomplices,” Det. David Coffey told a Thursday morning press conference.

“These fraudsters used the stolen cards to withdraw funds from ATMs, deposit fraudulent cheques to artificially inflate account balances, and make high value purchases including electronics, gift cards, and luxury clothing.”

The investigation began in July 24 after multiple reports were made to police. Initially, 61 linked incidents were identified but by the conclusion of the probe, that number rose to more than 300.

On May 21, three search warrants were executed at addresses connected to the accused and police made the 11 arrests. Officers also seized multiple point of sale (P.O.S.) terminals, high-end clothing, electronics, artwork, numerous bank cards, and vehicles resembling taxis.

“We’re reminding people to remain vigilant, especially when making card payments,” said Coffey. “Remember, the legitimate taxi drivers will never refuse cash, will not take your card out of your sight, or will they ever ask for your pin. If something doesn’t feel right, trust your instinct. Refuse a transaction and report it.”

In addition to the 11 people charged — all from the GTA except for one from Newfoundland — investigators are seeking the public’s assistance in identifying two male individuals.

Suspect one is 25-35 years old, 5-foot-7 to 5-foot-10 with a medium build, brown eyes, short black hair, and a trimmed black beard.

Suspect two is in his 20s, 5-foot-7 to 6-feet tall, with brown eyes, a medium build, and thin facial hair.

Police are also looking to identify a female who is being considered a person-of-interest, and not a suspect, as she was with one of the two males wanted.

Coffey said the five banks in Canada have made it financially right with those who were victims of the taxi scam fraud, reimbursing amounts anywhere from $1,000 to several thousand depending on how long it took the victims to realize they didn’t have their actual debit or credit cards.

“The damages are greater relevant to the time that passes,” said Coffey.

“The biggest red flag in this one is a taxi driver who says, ‘I don’t take cash, only debit.’ And then at some point of time you’re losing control of your debit card so those two things alone. It’s city bylaws, (taxis are) mandated, they have to take cash. As soon as they say, ‘We don’t take cash,’ get out of the taxi cab because that’s not a legitimate taxi cab.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 416-808-2510 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477).

jstevenson@postmedia.com

THOSE CHARGED

Ekjot NAHAL, 22, of Brampton, was arrested and charged with:

five counts of Fraud Over $5000
Possession of Proceeds of Crime over $5000
He was scheduled to appear at the Toronto Regional Bail Centre, 2201 Finch Avenue West, on May 22, 2025, at 10 a.m., in room 106.

Harjoban NAHAL, 25, of Brampton, was arrested and charged with:

five counts of Fraud Over $5000
Possession of Proceeds of Crime Over $5000
Flight While Pursued by Peace Officer
Dangerous Operation of a Conveyance
two counts of Operation of a Conveyance while Prohibited
Breach of Conditional Sentence Order
He was scheduled to appear at the Toronto Regional Bail Centre, 2201 Finch Avenue West, on May 22, 2025, at 10 a.m., in room 106.

Connor WYBENGA, 26, of Toronto, was arrested and charged with:

five counts of Fraud Over $5000
Attempt Fraud Over $5000
Possession of Proceeds of Crime over $5000
Possession of Proceeds of Crime under $5000
Unlawfully Deal with Device that could be used for Forgery
He was scheduled to appear at the Toronto Regional Bail Centre, 2201 Finch Avenue West, on May 22, 2025, at 10 a.m., in room 106.

Korbin SONLEY, 22, of Toronto, was arrested and charged with:

Possession of Proceeds of Crime over $5000
Possession of Proceeds of Crime under $5000
Unlawfully Deal with Device that could be used for Forgery
He was scheduled to appear at the Toronto Regional Bail Centre, 2201 Finch Avenue West, on May 22, 2025, at 10 a.m., in room 106.

Michael DENINE, 24, of Newfoundland, was arrested and charged with:

Possession of Proceeds of Crime over $5000
Possession of Proceeds of Crime under $5000
Unlawfully Deal with Device that could be used for Forgery
He was scheduled to appear at the Toronto Regional Bail Centre, 2201 Finch Avenue West, on May 22, 2025, at 10 a.m., in room 106.

Harpreet HARPREET SINGH, 24, of Brampton, was arrested and charged with:

three counts of Fraud over $5000
nine counts of Fraud under $5000
12 counts of Possession of Property Obtained by Crime under $5000
Possession of Proceeds of Crime over $5000
Obstruct Peace Officer
two counts of Possession of Instruments to be Used to Commit Forgery
Unauthorized Use of Credit Card Data
Attempt Fraud over $5000
He is scheduled to appear at the Ontario Court of Justice, 10 Armoury Street, on July 15, 2025, at 11 a.m., in room 203.

Luis COLLADO, 24 years, of Mississauga, was arrested and charged with:

Fraud over $5000
three counts of Fraud under $5000
Attempt Fraud under $5000
five counts of Possession of Property Obtained by Crime under $5000
Possession of Instruments to be Used to Commit Forgery
Unauthorized Use of Credit Card Data
He is scheduled to appear at the Ontario Court of Justice, 10 Armoury Street, on July 15, 2025, at 11 a.m., in room 203.

Reazuddin SHAIKH, 50, of Toronto, was arrested and charged with:

three counts of Fraud over $5000
six counts of Fraud Under $5000
Attempt Fraud Under $5000
eight counts of Possession of Property Obtained by Crime under $5000
Possession of instruments to be Used to Commit Forgery
Unauthorized Use of Credit Card Data
He is scheduled to appear at the Ontario Court of Justice, 10 Armoury Street, on July 11, 2025, at 11 a.m., in room 203.

Anastasia ZACHAROPOULOS JOHNSTON, 19, of Vaughan, was arrested and charged with:

Fraud over $5000
Fraud under $5000
Possession of Proceeds of Crime over $5000
Possession of Proceeds of Crime under $5000
two counts of Possession of Property Obtained by Crime under $5000
She is scheduled to appear at the Ontario Court of Justice, 10 Armoury Street, on June 26, 2025, at 9 a.m., in room 203.

Gurnoor Singh RANDHAWA, 20, of No Fixed Address, was arrested and charged with:

Fail to Comply with Release Order
two counts of Possession of Property Obtained by Crime under $5000
two counts of Possess Credit Card Obtained by Offence
He was scheduled to appear at the Toronto Regional Bail Centre, 2201 Finch Avenue West, on January 19, 2025, at 10 a.m., in room 105.

Gaurav TAAK, 23, of Brampton, was arrested and charged with:

Possession of Property Obtained by Crime over $5000
Possession of instruments to be Used to Commit Forgery
He was scheduled to appear at the Ontario Court of Justice, 10 Armoury Street, on September 26, 2024, at 11 a.m., in room 203.