The Canadian Bazaar
TORONTO: After phone scams, CRA scams and immigration scams, Toronto Police have now unearthed a romance scam.
An old Toronto woman, who would pose as a man from British Columbia to befriend women on dating sites or social media and then defraud them of millions of dollars, has been arrested.
Aleth Duell, 69, would trick women on dating and social media sites into friendship or relationship.
Once a relationship was developed, she would request victims to borrow large sums of money with the promise of a full refund.
The victims would send her cash via wire transfers and e-transfers to the following bank accounts owned by her –
– Altomson International LLC
– Altombrand Global Services Inc
– Celestial Dance Workout Corp.
– Laperrie Consultant Services
– High Energy Hangout LLC
The victims were asked to open separate bank accounts and provide the banking information to her.
She defrauded women by telling them such stories as:
– that he is working overseas or in the USA and has had his passport confiscated or requires travel expenses covered.
– that he had a work-related accident which has resulted in large fees, border issues, medical bills or his money being detained until all fees are covered.
– that his monetary demands increased.
– that he would fully refund them.
Aleth Duell has been charged with fraud and money laundering.
Police are concerned there are other victims in Ontario, British Colombia and Alberta of her romance scam.
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