20.74°C Vancouver

Nov 1, 2023 5:56 PM - The Canadian Press

Montreal police arrest 17 people for alleged real estate fraud worth over $5 million

Share On
montreal-police-arrest-17-people-for-alleged-real-estate-fraud-worth-over-5-million
Police say members of the alleged fraud ring used fake IDs to borrow against the value of five properties they didn't own. (Photo: The Canadian Press)

Montreal police say they've arrested 17 people in connection with an alleged real estate fraud scheme worth more than $5 million.

Police say members of the alleged fraud ring used fake IDs to borrow against the value of five properties they didn't own.

They say the fake IDs were used to sign legal documents and open bank accounts in the names of the real owners.

The financing obtained from private lenders was withdrawn soon after it was deposited in the bank accounts.

Police say the real owners of the properties have found themselves tied to mortgages they never took out and the lenders have lost all the money they lent out.

The seven women and 10 men are expected to appear in a Montreal court today where they could face charges including fraud, money laundering, conspiracy and possession of property obtained by crime, depending on their alleged level of involvement in the scheme.

Latest news

illegal-gambling-investigation-in-metro-vancouver-leads-to-11-arrests
BCMay 08, 2026

Illegal gambling investigation in Metro Vancouver leads to 11 arrests

Police in British Columbia say 11 people have been arrested following an investigation into an alleged illegal gambling operation in Metro Vancouver. According to investigators, the probe began in November 2025 after police received information about a suspected gaming house operating in Maple Ridge. Officers executed search warrants on April 29 at locations in Maple Ridge, Coquitlam and Surrey. Police said investigators seized gambling equipment, more than $34,000 in cash, and a shotgun fitted with a suppressor during the searches. Authorities have not released details about the identities of
lethbridge-man-charged-with-breaching-release-conditions-tied-to-child-sexual-abuse-case
AlbertaMay 08, 2026

Lethbridge man charged with breaching release conditions tied to child sexual abuse case

Lethbridge Police say a 36-year-old man has been charged after officers allegedly found him in contact with a youth while bound by court-ordered release conditions connected to previous child sexual abuse charges. According to a Lethbridge Police Service release, officers responded May 6 to a report of a vulnerable 15-year-old girl getting into a vehicle with an adult male in the parking lot of a northside swimming pool. Police conducted a traffic stop and identified the driver as a man prohibited from having contact with anyone under 16 years old. Police said the accused was also subject to c
smith-presses-carney-on-pipeline-agreement-and-project-approvals
CanadaMay 08, 2026

Smith presses Carney on pipeline agreement and project approvals

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith met with Prime Minister Mark Carney in Ottawa on Thursday to discuss federal–provincial energy cooperation and major infrastructure project approvals. Smith said Albertans and industry investors are growing frustrated with delays tied to large-scale projects. She called for an oil pipeline and energy cooperation memorandum of understanding to be finalized within days. According to Smith, some conditions tied to the agreement between the federal and Alberta governments were supposed to be completed by April 1, a deadline that has already passed. She also argued
CanadaMay 08, 2026

Manitoba declares public health emergency over rising HIV cases

The Manitoba government has declared a public health emergency following a sharp rise in HIV cases across the province, marking the first time Manitoba has issued such an emergency declaration related to HIV. According to Manitoba chief provincial public health officer Dr. Brent Roussin, the number of reported HIV cases increased from 90 in 2019 to 328 in 2025. Preliminary data for the first quarter of 2026 shows approximately 120 cases, a level health officials describe as concerning. Final figures for 2026 have not yet been released. Provincial health officials said Manitoba’s HIV rate has
canada-post-begins-notifying-residents-of-end-to-door-to-door-mail-delivery
CanadaMay 08, 2026

Canada Post begins notifying residents of end to door-to-door mail delivery

Canada Post has begun sending letters to residents whose homes are expected to lose door-to-door mail delivery as part of a nationwide transition to community mailboxes. In notices sent to customers, the Crown corporation said mail and parcel delivery to residents’ doors will continue for now, but service is expected to shift to community mailboxes by late 2026 or early 2027. According to Canada Post, the change is being introduced as part of efforts to modernize operations and improve the long-term financial sustainability of the postal system. The plan would affect approximately four milli

Related News