A suspect has been extradited from Florida to face charges in a $6 million fraudulent billing scheme in Toronto.
According to authorities, the suspect, identified as John Smith, was arrested in Florida and has now been brought back to Toronto to face charges of fraud over $5,000, possession of property obtained by crime, and money laundering.
The alleged scheme involved Smith and his accomplices submitting false invoices to various companies in Toronto, resulting in a loss of over $6 million. The fraudulent invoices were for services that were never rendered, and the money was then laundered through various bank accounts.
The investigation into the scheme began in 2018, and Smith was identified as a suspect early on. However, he fled to Florida before charges could be laid against him. With the assistance of the U.S. Marshals Service, Smith was located and arrested in Florida in December 2020.
Toronto police worked closely with the U.S. Marshals Service and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) to have Smith extradited back to Canada to face justice.
Smith appeared in court on Monday, where he was formally charged and remanded into custody. The investigation is ongoing, and authorities believe there may be more individuals involved in the scheme.
The Toronto Police Service is urging anyone with information about this case to come forward and contact them or Crime Stoppers anonymously.
This extradition serves as a reminder that criminals cannot escape justice, and law enforcement agencies will work tirelessly to bring them to face the consequences of their actions. The Toronto Police Service is committed to protecting the public and holding those who commit fraud accountable for their actions.
