2 men charged after allegedly selling fake cellphones in the Toronto area for years
![tps Handouts by the Toronto Police Service. Martin, 25, can be seen on the right, with Stoute, 25 on the left, according to police.](/content/dam/ctvnews/en/images/2024/4/22/tps-1-6856386-1713783820897.jpg)
Police have charged two men with more than 40 collective offences after they allegedly sold fake cellphones using Facebook Marketplace over a three-year period in the Toronto area.
A new release issued by the Toronto Police Service (TPS) on Monday said investigators believe the men have been advertising Apple iPhones for sale using the platform and would then meet potential victims.
- Download our app to get local alerts on your device
- Get the latest local updates right to your inbox
The products only resembled iPhones, according to police – or, customers were allegedly given cellphone boxes that contained rice or sand. Investigators allege some customers were provided with fake receipts
Several of the interactions resulted in physical altercations, police said. In these cases, the victims were struck and robbed of their cash, investigators allege.
The suspects would then flee the area in a white Honda Civic, they added.
On Friday, officers with TPS’ 51 Division executed three search warrants in the Toronto area and Peel Region.
Brampton resident Jovane Martin, 25, and Mississauga resident Jeremiah Stoute, 25, were subsequently placed into custody. Together, the two accused are facing more than 40 charges, including 13 counts of fraud each.
The charges have not been tested in court.
They are scheduled to make their first appearance in court on April 22 at 10 a.m.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6976926.1721883767!/httpImage/image.png_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.png)
DEVELOPING Alberta's request for federal assistance approved after fast-moving wildfire hit Jasper National Park: Trudeau
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced on social media that Ottawa has approved Alberta's request for federal assistance after a fast-moving wildfire hit Jasper National Park and its townsite late Wednesday.
Jasper mayor says alert system to be reviewed after message 'glitch'
More than 25,000 people have been displaced from Jasper National Park since wildfires started to threaten the picturesque corner of Alberta Rockies on Monday, but the mayor of its namesake municipality says not everyone received an evacuation alert when it was sent out.
Canada's premiers forced to confront escalating climate change-related disasters
Many of Canada's provincial and territorial leaders remained consumed by climate change-related natural disasters that have only escalated since they met for meetings in Halifax last week.
Norad intercepts Russian and Chinese bombers operating together near Alaska in apparent first
The North American Aerospace Defence Command (Norad) intercepted two Russian and two Chinese bombers flying near Alaska Wednesday in what appears to be the first time the two countries have been intercepted while operating together.
Biden explains why he ended re-election bid in Oval Office address
U.S. President Joe Biden on Wednesday delivered a solemn call to voters to defend the country's democracy as he laid out in an Oval Office address his decision to drop his bid for reelection and throw his support behind Vice President Kamala Harris.
Barrie-Innisfil MPP 'blacked-out' and crashed car into window of child care centre
Staff at a Barrie child care centre say they are frustrated by what they call a local MPP's inadequate response after a car crashed through a window in one of the toddler rooms.
Monday breaks the record for the hottest day ever on Earth
Driven by oceans that won't cool down, an unseasonably warm Antarctica and worsening climate change, Earth's record hot streak dialed up this week, making Monday the hottest day humans have measured.
Prince Harry says lawsuits against U.K. press 'central piece' in family breakdown
Prince Harry, speaking in clips published on Wednesday from a new documentary, said his legal battles with Britain's tabloid press have contributed to the breakdown of his relationship with the royal family.
2 Canadians being 'sent home immediately,' removed from Olympic team after drone incident
An analyst and an assistant coach with Canada Soccer are being removed from the Canadian Olympic Team and 'sent home immediately,' according to the Canadian Olympic Committee.