Toronto Police bust major bank fraud ring

| More

By Karen Mullins

TORONTO – Police have dismantled a gang involved in a cheque cashing scam that resulted in $5 million in loses to banks.

The suspects hit a number of banks in the Toronto area using counterfeit certified cheques, said police spokesman Const. Tony Vella.

Vella said in a phone interview that the suspects were arrested on various days from October 5, 2009 through January 20, 2010. One more suspect is outstanding but it is expected he will turn himself in.

Det. Gary Hickey of Fraud Unit said the investigation is ongoing and expects that there will be more arrests.

“We have arrested a portion of the main players in this case. There are a lot of others that are involved,” he said.

Charged so far in connection with the alleged cheque cashing scam are Toronto residents Ho Fong, 46, Sarvat Manzoor Joyia, 25, Omar Alleyne, 31. and Saidul Abu Islam, 60. Daniel Barna, 55, of Ajax as well as Richmond Hill resident Piero Perciballi, 41, are also charged.

Fong has been charged with three counts of attempted fraud and three counts of uttering forged documents. Joyla and Allenyne have been charged with fraud. In addition Allenyne was charged with uttering forged documents, attempted of laundering proceeds of a crime and laundering proceeds of a crime. Islam was charged with laundering proceeds of crime. Barna was charged with fraud and possession of property obtained by crime. Perciballi was charged with two counts of fraud over.

Perciballi appeared in court on Wednesday. The other suspects will have court appearance between Monday and Friday of next week other than Fong who will be in court on February 5.

| More