A 57-year-old Toronto man is facing numerous fraud-related offences after a Markham woman was threatened with arrest if she didn't provide payment to a suspect impersonating a Shanghai police officer.
In October 2022, the victim received a threatening phone call from an unknown man who identified himself as a police officer with Shanghai municipal police, York Regional Police said in a news release. The victim was told to pay money or face being arrested for committing criminal offences, police said.
In November 2022, a man attended the victim’s residence and provided fake photo identification, claiming it was issued by Shanghai municipal police and Interpol. The suspect again threatened to arrest the woman if she did not provide payment to avoid being arrested.
The victim was driven to two banks by a man, where a quantity of money was transferred to the man’s account. The suspect also provided a forged document that listed him as a supervisor with Shanghai municipal police and authorized him to seize money in Canada on their behalf.
On Oct. 3, Zhi Yong Wu was charged with numerous offences. Investigators are releasing his photograph as they believe there are more victims.
Charges:
- Fraud Exceeding $5,000
- Extortion
- Possession of Property Obtained by Crime
- Utter Forged Document
- Counterfeiting Mark
- Impersonate Peace Officer
Anyone with information is asked to call the #5 District Criminal Investigations Bureau at 1-866-876-5423, ext. 7541, or contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS, or leave an anonymous tip online.
