Markham
October 15, 2008 03:45 PM
Joe Fantauzzi, Staff Writer
A traffic stop in Markham led to the unravelling of a complex international fraud scheme, York Regional Police said Tuesday.
An officer was driving in the Denison Street and 14th Avenue area Oct. 2 at about 8 p.m. following reports police received about break and enters.
The officer spotted a vehicle with three people inside leaving a driveway.
After following it for a short time, the officer eventually stopped the vehicle near Denison and Kennedy Road.
An investigation resulted in the discovery of more than 1,000 letters investigators allege are fraudulent, addressed to residents of the United States, police said.
The letters appeared to be addressed from a legitimate mystery shopping company that evaluates customer service and advises recipients they had been chosen to participate, police said.
Recipients were provided a list of the stores to be evaluated and a counterfeit cheque, police said.
The letter asks recipients to wire money as part of the process and are told cheques could be cashed at a money transfer outlet at the conclusion of the process.
Clarence Nikathazo Moyo, 31, of East York and Vincent Makosn Ncube, 31, of Surrey, B.C. are charged with fraud over $5,000 and conspiracy to commit an indictable offence.
Thabiso Gama, 27, of Scarborough, is charged with fraud over $5,000, conspiracy to commit an indictable offence and breaching release conditions.
The charges have not been proven in court.
Both Mr. Moyo and Mr. Gama were held for a bail hearing yesterday at the Newmarket courts.
Mr. Ncube was released and is scheduled to appear at the Newmarket courts Nov. 4.
If you have any information about this case, call police at 1-866-876-5423, ext. 6613, Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS or leave a tip at www.1800222tips.com