Community News

MORE VICTIMS IN OSHAWA MAN'S ALLEGED APARTMENT RENTAL SCAM

KEITH GILLIGAN kgilligan@ durhamregion.com

Another seven people have come forward to say an Oshawa man allegedly defrauded them in a rental scam.

In May 2022, the Durham Regional Police Financial Crimes Unit started an investigation into a man who was posting ads on Marketplace advertising apartments for rent in London, Ontario. After taking the first and last month's rent, the suspect stopped all communication, police said.

Police determined the apartments never existed and located 35 victims who had been defrauded out of more than $50,000, police added.

Another seven complainants

came forward after the suspect was arrested on May 14, police noted, adding they are looking for other possible victims to come forward.

The accused is Ghana Ariharan and police said he has used multiple social media platforms to communicate with the victims.

He also goes by the names of Ariharan Ghana and Ari Haran, police said.

Ariharan, 27, has been charged with fraud over $5,000, possession of proceeds obtained by crime, laundering the proceeds of Canadian crime and failing to comply with a breach of recognizance.

He was held for a bail hearing.

Anyone with information or who may be a victim in this incident is asked to contact Det. Const. Finley of the Financial Crimes Unit at 1-888-579-1520, ext. 5358.

Anonymous information can be sent to Durham Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or online at www.durhamregionalcrimestoppers.ca.

CRIME

en-ca

2023-06-08T07:00:00.0000000Z

2023-06-08T07:00:00.0000000Z

https://communitynews.pressreader.com/article/281612424799136

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