Toronto Man Allegedly Bilked Victims Out Of $600,000 In Romance Scam

A 28-year-old Toronto man is accused of an online romance scam that bilked two people out of more than $600,000.

Peel Regional Police allege that between June 2021 and July 2023 two victims believed they were in a genuine romantic relationship with the man they had met through an online dating platform.

Police allege the man fraudulently claimed to own an oil rig in the Middle East and told the victims he urgently needed money, while promising repayment and an eventual meeting.

But the victims only communicated with him electronically and never met him in person, police allege.

After the victims confronted the suspect, police allege he cut off all communication and the victims were never reimbursed.

The two victims suffered a combined loss of $610,382.

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Investigators subsequently identified a suspect and arrested him on Monday.

Chimezie Nwabueze is charged with two counts of fraud over $5,000, two counts of possession of property obtained by crime, and one count each of uttering forged documents, laundering proceeds of crime, participate in activities of a criminal organization and instructing the commission of an offence for a criminal organization.

Fraud investigators are concerned about the possibility of other alleged victims.

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It’s alleged Nwabueze was part of a larger criminal network that targets older adult dating websites for the purpose of fraudulently exploiting its vulnerable clientele.

Cops say Nwabueze was arrested in November 2023 by Peel Regional Police for allegedly using the exact same method of operation to defraud another victim out of more than $250,000 – a case is currently before the courts.

Anyone with information pertaining to this matter is asked to call the Fraud Bureau at 905-453-3311, ext. 3335, or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).