TORONTO -- A Toronto man is facing several fraud charges after police say a group of people used fraudulent gift cards, credit cards, debit cards and cheques to purchase items at several area retailers.
Police allege the group purchased hundreds of appliances, tools and related items from big box retailers, including Home Depot, using payment cards whose values were artificially boosted using forged cheques.
Investigators with the financial crimes unit say known losses exceed $395,000, most of them assumed by financial institutions after the frauds were carried out during a 30-day period in August and September.
Nao Khou, 51, is charged with three counts of fraud over $5,000 and one count of possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000.
Police are also seeking a woman in the case, and have released security camera images in hopes of getting help in identifying her.
Khou is scheduled to appear in court Nov. 12.
Police allege that when they executed a search warrant at the accused's home last week, they recovered fraudulently obtained items worth about $55,000.
Among the items seized were 73 shower heads, 63 faucets, 12 drill sets, 48 door locks and various other hardware. Police say they believe the property was being "fenced" or resold illegally.
Police say they believe some electronic retailers may also be victims.
