Three Richmond Hill residents were arrested.
of News release issued on ThursdayInvestigators allege that between July 2022 and January 2023, the three operated a “sophisticated” counterfeiting lab where they tampered with and manufactured fraudulent gift cards.
On January 25, officers executed a search warrant at a Toronto business and a Richmond Hill residence, finding a “huge” amount of fraudulent gift cards worth approximately $500,000 and a computer used to create the fake documents. Seized equipment and electronics.
In photos provided by TPS of the seized items, the gift cards appear to be from brands such as Sephora, Amazon, Moxies, Gap, Starbucks, Xbox, and Canadian Tire.
On the same day, police arrested three persons in connection with the investigation.
Richmond Hill residents Iouri Perett, 38, and Vitalii Fokov, 35, have each been charged with one count of fraud over $5,000, one count of a fraudulent gift card transaction, and one count of possession of criminal proceeds. was indicted on
Another Richmond Hill resident, 34-year-old Elizabeth Perrette, was charged with one count of possessing criminal proceeds.
The three are scheduled to appear in court on March 10 at 11:00 a.m. at Toronto’s Old City Hall.
Police are asking anyone with additional information to contact 416-808-7300, CrimeStoppers at 416-222-TIPS (8477), or www.222tips.com.
Gift card fraud is rampant across Ontario in recent years.
last year, An Oakville resident bought an $800 gift card, but it wasn’t worth itIt took about 6 months, numerous calls to Petro Canada, and CTV News Toronto before I got a refund.
Gift cards are a multi-billion dollar business, most of which are given or received without issue, but increasingly, legally purchased gift cards have no value.
Using Pat Foran’s file from CTV News Toronto
