The owner of an agency that recruits immigrant workers is facing dozens of charges after more than 600 victims came forward to Toronto police.
Victims of the scheme were allegedly defrauded of more than $2.3 million, according to a police statement issued Tuesday.
Officers were made aware of the scheme in October, when a group of people came forward saying they’d been defrauded by a company called GoWest Jobs International, located at 1315 Finch Ave. W., just east of Keele Street.
Victims told police the company was a recruiting agency that primarily dealt with immigrant workers. Individuals, family members and friends from other countries would be recruited for jobs in Canada, according to police.
The majority of victims were of Filipino descent.
Once recruited, the company then requested payment for documents, references and employment contracts. Police have not said exactly how much the company charged, but said that the documents purchased by applicants were forged.
The applicants then submitted the papers to the Canadian government, and were denied entry because the documents were fraudulent. As a result they were then banned from reapplying for two years.
In February, Imelda "Mel" Fronda Saluma, 46, of Toronto faced 39 charges relating to fraud.
Police did not say how many victims had reported the scheme at the time, but said Tuesday that more than 600 people have come forward since the investigation began.
After looking into the claims, police have charged Saluma with an additional 39 offences, including fraud over $5,000, obtaining money by false pretenses, and making documents without authority.
Police believe there are still more victims who have yet to come forward.
Anyone with more information is asked to contact police at 416-808-3189, or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-8477 (TIPS).
