Public Advisory, Email Scam Investigation

Public Advisory,
Email Scam Investigation

Broadcast time: 02:32 PM
Date: Monday, Sep 23, 2024
Unit: Intelligence Services
Case #: n/a

The Toronto Police Service is making the public aware of ongoing email scam being reported across Canada. 

How the scam works:

• victims receive an email addressed to them, containing personal information such as their name, phone number, and address
• the email falsely claims the victim has visited a pornographic website and that malware has been installed
• the scammer then threatens to send alleged videos from the victim's phone to their contact list unless a payment in bitcoin is made
• the email warns the victim not to share the message with anyone else
• the scam claims that once payment is made, all alleged videos will be deleted

The Toronto Police Service is advising the public that this is a scam.

The personal information included in the email likely originates from a past data breach. The image of the victim's residence included in the email is taken from Google Maps, not from someone physically visiting the location. At no point was the victim's device compromised.

Tips to protect yourself from this scam:

• be aware of this type of fraud
• if you receive such an email, report it to the police
• do not pay any money; the scammers do not have any compromising videos or images
• if your information has been part of a previous data breach, change your account passwords
• enable multifactor authentication on your accounts for added security

Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 416-808-2222, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477), or at www.222tips.com.

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Constable Caroline de Kloet for Detective Sergeant Lindsay Riddell

Two Women and One Man Arrested at Demonstration

Two Women and One Man Arrested at Demonstration, 
Two Officers Sustain Minor Injuries,
Yonge Street and Front Street East area, Parliament Street and Front Street East,
Update: Three Outstanding Suspects to be Identified, 
Images Released

Broadcast time: 12:30 PM
Date: Saturday, Sep 14, 2024
Unit: Intelligence Services
Case #: 2024-2010001

 

The Toronto Police Service is requesting the public's assistance identifying three suspects wanted in an Assault Peace Officer investigation that occurred at a demonstration.

On Wednesday, September 11, 2024, at approximately 6:00 p.m., police attended a demonstration in the Yonge Street and Front Street East area.

It is alleged that:

• a group of protestors were demonstrating at an event being held at Meridian Hall
• the group attempted to gain entry into the event and were removed by officers
• a woman was arrested for assaulting a police officer

It is further alleged that:

• demonstrators became confrontational with officers who were assisting with crowd control
• suspect #1 spat at an officer
• suspect #2 struck an officer

It is alleged that:

• demonstrators then attended TPS 51 Division at Parliament Street and Front Street East
• demonstrators proceeded to become combative and two suspects were arrested for assaulting officers

It is further alleged that:

• suspect #3 spat on an officer

See previous release.

The outstanding suspects are described as:

Suspect #1: man, 25-35 years old, with a medium build. He was wearing a Boston Bruins jersey, and a black Toronto Raptors hat

Suspect #2: woman, medium build, wearing a red Keffiyeh, black shirt and white shoes

Suspect #3: woman, medium build, wearing a blue dress and eye glasses

Images have been released.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 416-808-3500, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477), or at www.222tips.com.

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Constable Shannon Eames for Detective Charles Lee

Images for this release are available on our website.

Two Women and One Man Arrested at Demonstration, Two Officers Sustain Minor Injuries, Yonge Street and Front Street East area, Parliament Street and Front Street East

Two Women and One Man Arrested at Demonstration, 
Two Officers Sustain Minor Injuries,
Yonge Street and Front Street East area, Parliament Street and Front Street East

Broadcast time: 01:51 PM
Date: Thursday, Sep 12, 2024
Unit: Intelligence Services
Case #: 2024-1996699

The Toronto Police Service is making the public aware of arrests made at a demonstration, where two police officers sustained minor injuries.

On Wednesday, September 11, 2024, at approximately 6:00 p.m., police attended a demonstration in the Yonge Street and Front Street East area.

It is alleged that:

• a group of protestors were demonstrating at an event being held at Meridian Hall
• the group attempted to gain entry into the event and were removed by officers
• a woman became combative and assaulted an officer

Kerry Gauer, 45, of Toronto, has been arrested and charged with:

1. Assault Peace Officer

She is scheduled to appear in court at the Ontario Court of Justice, 10 Armoury Street, on Thursday, October 17, 2024, at 2 p.m., in room 203.

It is further alleged that:

• several demonstrators then attended 51 TPS Division at Parliament Street and Front Street East
• demonstrators proceeded to become combative and the suspect assaulted an officer

Laura Favacho, 27, of Toronto, has been arrested and charged with:

1. Assault Peace Officer

She is scheduled to appear in court at the Ontario Court of Justice, 10 Armoury Street, on Monday, October 21, 2024, at 11 a.m., in room 203.

It is further alleged that:

• a demonstrator threw a water bottle at an officer, striking the officer in the face

Adham Diabas, 25, of Brampton, has been arrested and charged with:

1. Assault with a Weapon
2. Assault Peace Officer

He is scheduled to appear in court at the Ontario Court of Justice, 10 Armoury Street, on Monday, October 21, 2024, at 11 a.m., in room 203.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 416-808-3500, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477), or at www.222tips.com.

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Constable Ashley Visser for Detective Charles Lee

Public Safety Alert, Pickpocket Style Thefts, Entertainment District and Downtown Core Area

Public Safety Alert,
Pickpocket Style Thefts,
Entertainment District and Downtown Core Area

Broadcast time: 10:35 AM
Date: Tuesday, Sep 10, 2024
Unit: 52 Division
Case #: N/A 

The Toronto Police Service is making the public aware of pickpocket style thefts occurring in and around the entertainment district in the downtown core.

It is reported that:

• suspects are targeting victims while they are attending festivals, concerts and events within the entertainment district
• items are being stolen from unsuspecting victims or while items are left unattended 

The Toronto Police Service is reminding the public to be aware of their surroundings while attending events in the city, and to be cognizant of their belongings, such as cell phones and wallets, when attending events where crowds are present. 

To report a Theft Under $5000, please refer to the Toronto Police Service website at: https://www.tps.ca/services/online-reporting/theft-under-5000/ 

To learn about personal safety tips, click here for further information.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 416-808-5200, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477), or at www.222tips.com.

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Constable Ashley Visser for Sergeant Robert McDougall