Social media fraud investigation leads to arrest
A six-month fraud investigation by the Manitoulin detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) has resulted in 30 criminal charges being laid against a local person.
On March 10, 2023, shortly before 12:30 pm, the Manitoulin OPP received a complaint of fraudulent activity on a social media group involved in buying, selling and swapping. The complainant had paid for an item that was not delivered, and emails were going unanswered.
Police identified 11 victims from southern, northeastern and northwestern Ontario during the investigation. Each of the 11 victims had lost between $50 and $445 between January and March 2023.
Denzel Lewis Anwhatin, 25, from Sheguiandah First Nation was arrested and charged with 12 counts of fraud under $5,000, 12 counts of make false statement in writing with the payment of money and six counts of trafficking in property obtained by crime.
The accused was released and is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Gore Bay on October 11.
“Frauds are always changing, but being aware of the tactics used by scammers can help people recognize the signs and take the steps needed to protect themselves,” said OPP community safety officer John Hill.
To protect yourself from buy and sell frauds, the OPP recommends considering the following: examine the profile and customer reviews of the seller. Look to see how long they have been active on the platform. Fraudulent profiles are often new and have few or no reviews. They may also have very few followers and limited posts. Do not trust offers that seem too good to be true. Bargain hunters beware! People are often lured in by fraudsters offering steep discounts.
Do not accept overpayment for items you are selling. In these cases, the scammer agrees to purchase something you are selling online. They send a cheque for more than the asking price. They ask you to deposit the cheque and then pay them back the difference. They are hoping you do this before your bank realizes the cheque from them is fake. And avoid paying with cash, especially a lot of cash. Use payment methods that have purchase protection such as Visa, Mastercard, or Facebook checkout.
If you think you or someone you know has been a victim of fraud, please contact the OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or your nearest police authority and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501 or report online at www.antifraudcentre.ca.
Traffic stop leads to two separate impaired charges
The Manitoulin OPP has laid 62 impaired driving charges since January 1, 2023.
On September 21 shortly after 9:30 pm, the Manitoulin OPP observed a vehicle swerving in its lane on Hayward Street in Little Current.
Police conducted a traffic stop. It was determined the driver had been consuming alcohol. The driver was arrested for impaired driving and returned to the Little Current OPP detachment for further tests.
As a result of the investigation, Travis Aelick, 20, from Little Current was charged with operation while impaired, alcohol and drugs, operation while impaired, blood alcohol concentration (80 plus) and novice driver-blood alcohol concentration above zero.
The accused was released and is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Gore Bay on October 11. The driver was issued a 90-day administrative driver’s licence suspension and the vehicle was impounded for seven days.
Drivers are reminded that no amount of alcohol or drugs in your system is safe when driving. If you plan on drinking or consuming drugs, plan not to drive. Instead, arrange for a designated driver or take a taxi.
If you observe a suspected impaired driver, please call 9-1-1 immediately and report it.
Traffic complaint results in impaired charges
On September 20, shortly before 8:30 pm, the Manitoulin OPP responded to a complaint of a possible impaired driver on Highway 6 in Whitefish River First Nation (WRFN). The complainant reported that a pick-up truck was crossing the yellow line and had driven onto the shoulder.
Police located the vehicle and conducted a traffic stop at a retail store on Highway 6. It was determined the driver had been consuming alcoholic beverages. The driver was arrested for impaired driving and returned to the Little Current OPP detachment for further tests.
As a result of the investigation, William Michael Moroz, 63, from Birch Island was charged with operation while impaired-alcohol and drugs, operation while impaired, blood alcohol concentration (80 plus), driving while under suspension, obstruct plate, having care or control of a motor vehicle with open container of liquor.
The accused was released and is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Gore Bay on October 11.
The driver’s vehicle was impounded for seven days.
Driver hits hydro pole
The Wikwemikong Tribal Police Service (WTPS) is continuing an investigation into a motor vehicle colliding into a hydro pole.
On Saturday, September 16 at approximately 8:40 am, the WTPS responded to a motor vehicle accident that occurred on Wikwemikong Way on the Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory (WUT).
Officers arrived and located a motor vehicle in the east side ditch area on Wikwemikong Way. Paramedics were already on scene assessing the driver and two passengers.
Police investigation revealed that the motor vehicle was travelling northbound on Wikwemikong Way when it left the roadway and struck a hydro pole causing extensive damage to both the vehicle and the pole. Damage to the hydro pole resulted in a power outage in parts of the community.
No injuries were reported by the passengers and the driver was taken to hospital as a precaution.
Hydro One also attended the scene and undertook repairs.
The matter is still under investigation.
Anyone with information on this incident or any other investigation can contact the Wikwemikong Tribal Police at (705) 859-3141 or through the Communication Centre at 1-888-310-1122, or Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.
RIDE check leads to drug seizure
On Tuesday, September 19, officers with WUT were conducting a reduce impaired driving everywhere (RIDE) check in the Rabbit Island area of WUT.
At approximately 2:30 am, officers were checking a vehicle and driver when it was determined they had a suspended driver’s licence.
As a result of the investigation, the driver was placed under arrest for driving while under suspension and the vehicle was towed. Upon search of the driver, a quantity of illegal drugs was located on their person as well. The driver was then advised of their arrest for possession of a controlled substance.
The driver was later released and is to be summonsed to Ontario Court (provincial division) to answer to the said charges.
The community is reminded that RIDE checks will continue throughout the community and the public is encouraged to report impaired drivers or any drug-related offences.
Information can be reported to the Wikwemikong Police at (705) 859-3141, or through the provincial communications centre at 1-888-310-1122.
Information can also be reported through Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.
