TORONTO, July 9, 2014 /CNW/ - The Royal Canadian Mounted Police, in partnership with Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) and Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC), has charged five Greater Toronto Area (GTA) residents after an investigation into an alleged scam involving the Temporary Foreign Worker Program.
The year-long investigation (project 'O-Nanny') began after the RCMP received information from Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) regarding suspected misuse of the National Job Bank for Employers as well as the Temporary Foreign Worker Program. The investigation centered on allegations, that individuals at Platinum Care (a foreign worker recruitment and placement agency) were using falsified documents to create employment offers to foreign workers. It is alleged that the accused persons would use various methods of identity theft to obtain personal information from unsuspecting Canadians. The accused would then use this personal information to create fictitious employment offers for foreign workers. It is alleged that the accused are responsible for bringing 53 people into Canada under fraudulent means.
As a result of this investigation, the following individuals have been arrested and charged:
- Rosanna LIM (age 51), of GTA (CEO of Platinum Care)
- Leahnette ACUNA (age 50), of GTA
- Shannon LIM (age 25), of GTA
- Normita MANDOZA (age 58), of GTA
- Fazeina SARLAT (age 52), of GTA
All five were charged with numerous counts of Identity Theft, Forgery and Uttering Forged Documents under the Criminal Code of Canada. The accused persons have been released on conditions. They are scheduled to appear on August 6th, 2014 at the Ontario Court of Justice, 60 Queen St. West, Toronto. This investigation is on-going.
"Protecting Canadians from identity theft as well as ensuring the integrity of our Government's programs are very important goals for the RCMP", said Sgt. Louie Casale of the Toronto West Serious and Organized Crime Team, "the RCMP continues to work hard in partnership with ESDC and CIC to protect the integrity of programs and services provided to the public by the Government of Canada."
Anyone with information in regards to this investigation is asked to contact the Ontario RCMP at 1-800-387-0020, your local police or anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477. Successful investigations are often the results of the public assisting the police in providing important information about illegal activities. Together we can continue making Canada a safer place to live.
SOURCE: Royal Canadian Mounted Police
RCMP Media Relations
"O" Division (Ontario)
416-992-4409
Website: RCMP in Ontario
Twitter: @RCMPONT
Facebook: RCMP Ontario
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