Winnipeg Police Service’s Financial Crimes Unit has charged six people with dozens of fraud-related offences in connection to an inter-provincial fraud ring.
Police say that between May and December of this year they investigated a number of frauds that targeted victims from Ontario to British Columbia.
Investigators say that the investigation kicked off after they learned of a Calgary resident who had their credit card compromised. The card was then used to make unauthorized purchased that were tracked back to Winnipeg.
As the investigation unfolded officers learned of a number of similar incidents. As officers dug deeper into the scam they believed that the incidents were linked to six people who lived in the same household in Winnipeg.
According to police these people obtained stolen identity documents and credit card information and then made online purchases. The items were then resold.
On July 22, 2020, investigators raided a residence in Fort Richmond and seized IDs belonging to a number of victims, a “large quantity of high-end merchandise” and more than $10,000.00 in cash. Police say the cash was hidden inside air vent in the residence.
Six individuals were arrested and charged.
- Kwabena Owusu BANAHENE, a 28-year-old male
- Johnson ADZOTOR, a 25 -year-old male
- Nanayaw Asare KORANTENG, a 25 -year-old male
- Benjamin Kwadwo BEDIAKO,a 34 -year-old male
- Daniel Nutifafa AMENYEAWU, a 26 -year-old male
- Tjianna Latasha SMITH, a 22 -year-old female
Collectively the group is facing more than 60 fraud-related offences for their alleged involvement.
Police say that this case goes to reinforce how important it is to guard all of your identity documents and to keep track of purchases you make. If you are a victim of fraud contact the police and your credit card company.
© News4.ca 2020
