Peel Regional Police have charged two Mississauga women in connection with a lottery scam that defrauded elderly victims across Canada of tens of thousands of dollars. A third suspect, a Mississauga man, remains at large with an arrest warrant issued against him.
The investigation revealed that fraudsters targeted “vulnerable elderly victims” in multiple provinces between 2019 and 2023, convincing them they had won large lottery prizes. Victims were tricked into sending money to cover supposed fees and taxes required to claim their winnings, with promises of millions of dollars in cash prizes.
- A Thunder Bay resident lost $45,000 after being misled by one of the scammers.
- An Alberta victim was defrauded twice, sending a total of $12,000 to different individuals.
Peel police described the schemes as deliberate attempts to exploit some of Canada’s most vulnerable citizens.
The following individuals have been charged:
- Arja Donaldson, 50, of Mississauga:
- Charged with fraud over $5,000 and possession of property obtained by crime.
- Latoya Hayden, 37, of Mississauga:
- Charged with fraud over $5,000.
Both suspects are scheduled to appear in Brampton court at a later date.
Police have issued an arrest warrant for Andrew Baker, 31, of Mississauga, who has been “actively sought” by investigators for several months. He is wanted on charges of possession of property obtained by crime.
Fraud investigators highlighted the dangers of such schemes, emphasizing that “our most vulnerable population are often targeted, manipulated, and taken advantage of in fraud-related schemes for the fraudster’s profit.”
Scammers frequently use persuasive tactics to make their claims seem legitimate. Police urge the public to:
- Avoid sending money or personal information to unknown individuals.
- Verify unsolicited prize notifications or financial requests.
For more information on fraud prevention, visit the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre website.
Anyone with information on this case or the whereabouts of Andrew Baker is asked to contact Peel Regional Police at 905-453-3311, ext. 3335, or call Peel Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477.
This case serves as a stark reminder to remain vigilant against fraud schemes that target the elderly and vulnerable.