TORONTO, ON — Toronto Police have arrested 11 individuals and laid 108 charges in connection with a sophisticated taxi scam that defrauded victims of over $500,000 in a 10-month period.
The investigation, known as Project Fare, was launched by the Financial Crimes Unit (FCU) in July 2024 after a surge in reports from victims who said their debit or credit cards were stolen during fake taxi rides.
According to Detective David Coffey, the scheme involved suspects posing as legitimate taxi drivers. Victims were asked to pay using a debit or credit card, during which the fraudsters discreetly swapped the customer’s card with a similar-looking fake. The victim’s card and PIN were then handed off to accomplices, who used them to withdraw money, deposit fraudulent cheques to inflate balances, and make expensive purchases—including electronics, luxury clothing, gift cards, and more.
The scam began with 61 linked incidents, but that number more than doubled by the end of the investigation.
Those arrested include:
Ekjot Nahal, 22, Brampton
Harjoban Nahal, 25, Brampton
Connor Wybenga, 26, Toronto
Korbin Sonley, 22, Toronto
Michael Denine, 24, Newfoundland
Harpreet Singh, 24, Brampton
Luis Collado, 24, Mississauga
Reazuddin Shaikh, 50, Toronto
Anastasia Zacharopoulos Johnston, 19, Vaughan
Gurnoor Singh Randhawa, 20, No Fixed Address
Gaurav Taak, 23, Brampton
On May 21, officers from the FCU and multiple divisions executed three search warrants, recovering handheld card terminals, computers, phones, various bank cards, luxury items, and artwork.
Police say two male suspects remain unidentified and are seeking help from the public. They are also trying to identify a female person of interest believed to have helpful information.
Suspect Descriptions:
Suspect #1: Male, 5’7″–5’10″, 25–35 years old, brown eyes, short black hair, trimmed black beard, medium build
Suspect #2: Male, 5’7″–6’0″, 20s, brown eyes, thin facial hair, medium build
Person of Interest: Female, image released by police; not considered a suspect
Detective Coffey emphasized the suspects are not representative of the legitimate taxi industry, stating that “licensed drivers will never take your card out of sight, refuse cash, or ask for your PIN.”
Authorities urge anyone who may have been a victim to come forward. Anonymous tips can be provided through Crime Stoppers.
Coffey thanked financial institutions, Peel Regional Police, and the community for their assistance in the investigation.
