Bracebridge, Ontario – Members of the Muskoka Crime Unit assisted Belleville Police Service an investigation into an internet scam that resulted in three Muskoka residents being charged.
Belleville Police Service conducted a 21 month investigation into an internet scam involving a company that advertised to arrange for a cat to be delivered or obtaining jobs in the Alberta oil sands for administrative fees. Unsuspecting victims were lead to believe their money was being processed though Western Union or MoneyGram to a legitimate business known only as Starway Transportation.
Police learned individuals from Muskoka, Ontario were behind the scam which has reported victims through Canada, the United States and Europe and have defrauded the public of approximately $150, 000 over the 21 month period.
On November 6th 2014, Belleville Police Service with the assistance of the Muskoka Crime Unit of the Ontario Provincial Police executed search warrants on residences in Bracebridge and Gravenhurst, Ontario.
Arrested and charged with one count of Fraud over $5000 CC 380(1) and one count of Laundering Proceeds of Crime (Money Laundering) CC 462.31 each are:
46 year-old Gravenhurst resident Cheryl Berry;
47 year-old Gravenhurst resident Karl Berry;
52 year-old Bracebridge resident Joan Sellens.
All three were transported to Belleville, Ontario for bail court and released with a December 11, 2014 court date.
Police are asking anyone with information to contact Detective Constable Tim Foster of Belleville Police at (613) 966-0882 Ext 2309 or call Crime Stoppers at 1-800- 222-8477. You can submit your information online at www.crimestopperssdm.com if you have any information on this crime or any other crime. Crime Stoppers does not subscribe to call display and you will remain anonymous. Being anonymous, you will not testify in court and your information may lead to a cash reward of up to $2,000.