Two Arrested, Three Still at Large in Ontario Door-to-Door Sales Fraud Scheme

Two individuals have been arrested while three remain at large in connection with a wide-reaching door-to-door sales fraud operation that has allegedly victimized over 200 people across Ontario, according to the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP).

In a press release on Wednesday, the OPP shared details about their ongoing investigation, which began in the summer of 2021 under the name Project Nettle. This operation revealed a fraudulent scheme that targeted vulnerable individuals, including seniors, by presenting fake home service and renovation agreements at highly inflated prices.

Police revealed the identities of five suspects involved in the fraud on Wednesday. Two individuals, 39-year-old Rajivan Thillaindarajah from Mississauga and 40-year-old Sajjad Ahmad from Scarborough, have been arrested. Thillaindarajah faces several charges, including fraud over $5,000, possession of property obtained by crime, laundering proceeds of crime, and conspiracy to commit an indictable offence. Ahmad has been charged with two counts of fraud over $5,000.

The remaining suspects—23-year-old Anas Ayyoub, 33-year-old Muhammad Waqar Afzal, and 28-year-old Muhammad Wasiq Afzal—are still at large. All three are wanted on charges of fraud and possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000.

The fraudsters reportedly approached older adults and other vulnerable residents under the pretense of offering home services or renovations, falsely claiming that the costs would be covered by government grants or rebates. Many victims believed they were getting free services, only to find themselves unknowingly trapped in fraudulent agreements.

One of the key tactics of the scammers was registering a Notice of Security Interest (NOSI) against the victims’ homes without their consent. These NOSIs are legal claims that typically serve as a form of debt security against a property. However, in this scam, they were used fraudulently.

“Later, these NOSIs were paid off to the benefit of the fraud organizers using fraudulent, high-interest mortgages against the victims’ homes,” the OPP said. “In many cases, this fraud left the victims in financial distress, and in some situations, even forced them to sell their homes.”

Earlier this year, the Ontario government stepped in by banning the registration of NOSIs on land titles for home appliances such as furnaces, air conditioning units, and water heaters. These legal tools had been exploited by scammers, forcing unsuspecting homeowners into massive debts.

The OPP’s investigation was thorough, involving over 230 interviews as part of Project Nettle. Police emphasized that the impact of the fraud was not just financial but also deeply emotional and physical for many victims across Ontario.

“The victims were provided with support throughout the investigation,” the OPP said.

Police are urging anyone with information on the whereabouts of the three outstanding suspects to come forward. Tips can be provided by contacting the OPP at 1-833-941-5865 or emailing [email protected].