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TORONTO (AP)-Toronto police have arrested 10 people and filed 108 charges as part of a massive SIM-swapping fraud investigation called "Project Disrupt." The investigation, which began back in June 2023, was conducted jointly by the Financial Crimes Unit and the Coordinated Cyber Center (C3).
Fraudsters used two-factor authentication vulnerabilities to gain access to victims mobile numbers. By swapping SIM cards, they could intercept messages and calls related to password recovery, and thus gain access to victims ' accounts, including online banking and social networks.
During the investigation period, the police received numerous reports from telecommunications companies that identified cases of unauthorized access to their customers accounts. Criminals used fake identity documents in mobile operator stores and banks, and also used phishing techniques to get hold of customer data through fake websites and links.
During the searches, the police seized more than 400 fake identity cards and a lot of evidence confirming the activities of fraudsters. The total damage caused to victims, telecommunications companies and financial institutions exceeded $ 1 million. More than 1,500 mobile accounts across Canada were compromised.
Among those arrested are young men between the ages of 18 and 24 from various Canadian cities, including Toronto, Brampton, Mississauga and Winnipeg. The charges brought against the detainees include fraud on a particularly large scale, misuse of computer systems, interception of private communications and possession of property obtained by criminal means. Some of the defendants face additional articles for forgery of documents and impersonation of other persons.
Police are also looking for two suspects:
* Nadia Campitelli, 47, Toronto-charged with fraud and probation violation.
* Erwin Umutijima, 26, Toronto-charged with damaging computer data, attempting to defraud and using forged documents.
Photos of the wanted suspects, as well as images of the seized fake identity cards, were published by the police.
• Source: https://www.tps.ca/media-centre/stories/project-disrupt-leads-to-arrests-and-charges/
• Source: https://www.tps.ca/media-centre/news-releases/ten-arrests-made-and-115-charges-laid-in-project-d/
Fraudsters used two-factor authentication vulnerabilities to gain access to victims mobile numbers. By swapping SIM cards, they could intercept messages and calls related to password recovery, and thus gain access to victims ' accounts, including online banking and social networks.
During the investigation period, the police received numerous reports from telecommunications companies that identified cases of unauthorized access to their customers accounts. Criminals used fake identity documents in mobile operator stores and banks, and also used phishing techniques to get hold of customer data through fake websites and links.
During the searches, the police seized more than 400 fake identity cards and a lot of evidence confirming the activities of fraudsters. The total damage caused to victims, telecommunications companies and financial institutions exceeded $ 1 million. More than 1,500 mobile accounts across Canada were compromised.
Among those arrested are young men between the ages of 18 and 24 from various Canadian cities, including Toronto, Brampton, Mississauga and Winnipeg. The charges brought against the detainees include fraud on a particularly large scale, misuse of computer systems, interception of private communications and possession of property obtained by criminal means. Some of the defendants face additional articles for forgery of documents and impersonation of other persons.
Police are also looking for two suspects:
* Nadia Campitelli, 47, Toronto-charged with fraud and probation violation.
* Erwin Umutijima, 26, Toronto-charged with damaging computer data, attempting to defraud and using forged documents.
Photos of the wanted suspects, as well as images of the seized fake identity cards, were published by the police.
• Source: https://www.tps.ca/media-centre/stories/project-disrupt-leads-to-arrests-and-charges/
• Source: https://www.tps.ca/media-centre/news-releases/ten-arrests-made-and-115-charges-laid-in-project-d/
