Kitchener Man Charged in Counterfeit Cash Investigation
Region of Peel – Investigators with the Fraud Bureau with the assistance of the 12 Division CROW Unit (Compliance, Repeat Offenders and Warrants) have charged a Kitchener man in connection with two incidents involving counterfeit currency used to purchase precious metals through online marketplaces.
In January, it is alleged the accused contacted a seller through Facebook Marketplace and arranged to purchase gold bars valued at approximately $8,500. The parties met at a residence in Brampton, where the accused provided cash in $100 bills. While the seller was counting the money, the accused grabbed the gold bars and fled. The victim later discovered that $8,300 of the cash was counterfeit.
In a second incident in March, it is alleged the accused arranged to purchase gold and silver bars valued at approximately $5,700 from another online seller. After the transaction, the victim determined that $5,600 of the cash received was counterfeit.
After a thorough investigation, Terran Miller, 24, of Kitchener was arrested and charged with the following criminal offences:
- Fraud Over $5,000 x2
- Possession of Counterfeit Currency x2
- Uttering Counterfeit Currency x2
- Fail to Comply with Release Order
At the time of his arrest, Miller was wanted by multiple agencies throughout Ontario for similar occurrences, and was on a judicial release for multiple fraud-related charges already before the courts.
The Fraud Bureau has seen a marked increase in fraudulent transactions with online buy and sell platforms. Investigators are encouraging the public to utilize the Buy and Sell Safe Exchange Zones located at all Peel Regional Police divisions. These spaces are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week and aim to provide the public with a safer option to meet when conducting transactions with strangers.
Members of the public are encouraged to exercise caution when conducting private sales and to verify the authenticity of any cash received before completing a transaction. For more information on fraud prevention, visit the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.
Anyone with information regarding this investigation is asked to contact investigators with the Fraud Bureau at 905-453-2121, ext. 3335.
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NR: 26-134
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