Police in Toronto, Canada have arrested two Nigerians believed to be involved in a $10 million fraud ring.
The two fraudsters lived a “high-profile lifestyle of conspicuous consumption” supported by the proceeds of criminal activities, police announced on Tuesday.
“Thousands of individuals across the greater Toronto area have had their information compromised,” said Detective-Constable Mike Kelly. According to Mr. Kelly, unsuspecting victims have collectively lost an estimated $10 million.
Among the items seized during the investigation include a $10,000 pair of crocodile leather shoes, 37 stolen credit cards, $310,000 worth of wristwatches, $390,000 worth of clothing, jewelry and liquor, $39,000 in cash, hundreds of pieces of stolen mail, and several notebooks containing personal information of at least 5,000 residents of the greater Toronto area, Saharareporters reported.
The evidence was discovered on April 24 during a raid of a condominium owned by Adekunle Johnson Omitiran, 37.
Mr Omitiran turned himself in on April 27 and will face charges of fraud, identity theft, trafficking identity information, possession of credit cards obtained by crime, possession of proceeds of crime, and failure to comply with probation at court on May 19, according to The Star.
Another Nigerian-Canadian, Adedayo Ogundana, 45, was arrested in December 2016 in connection with the same Toronto crime syndicate. He was charged with 12 counts of fraud, identity theft, possession of stolen credit cards, and possession of the proceeds of crime.
The Toronto Sun reports that police have issued an arrest warrant for Duro Akintola, 44, a Toronto local. Emmanuel Salako, 47, is wanted by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service in Chicago for his involvement in the fraud ring.