Fake toonie investigation leads to $100K fine for Ontario man
An Ontario man has been fined $100,000 after pleading guilty to the possession and use of thousands of fake toonies circulated in the Canadian banking system.
Justice Amit Ghosh imposed the fine on Richmond Hill resident Daixiong He at the Newmarket Court of Justice after pleading guilty to a charge of uttering counterfeit money back in December 2022, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) confirmed to CTV News Toronto on Friday.
He, 68 at the time of his arrest, was charged in May 2022 as part of a federal counterfeit currency investigation launched after the Royal Canadian Mint discovered “an ongoing currency issue through their random sampling process." That investigation led officers to seize approximately 10,000 counterfeit toonies that had been placed into the Canadian banking system.
- Download our app to get local alerts on your device
- Get the latest local updates right to your inbox
While the charge He faced came with the possibility of up to 14 years in prison, the accused was spared jail time by Ghosh, who instead opted to impose the monetary penalty.
CTV News Toronto was unable to reach He before publication. His lawyer, Thomas Richards, told CTV News that the fine imposed represented the total amount of the deposits, "so the fine was calculated to effectively cancel out any benefit gained by Mr He for having made deposits of the toonies in question."
At the time of He's arrest, police said they expected additional coins were still in circulation within Canada. The coins, which police say originated from China, could be distinguished by their primary characteristic flaw of having a "split-toe" on the right front paw of the Polar Bear.
"The unique features on Canada's circulation coins make them among the most secure in the world and allow these counterfeit pieces to be identified and removed from circulation quickly," James Malizia, Vice-President of Corporate Security at the Royal Canadian Mint, said in a statement in 2022.
An authentic two-dollar coin can be seen on the left, alongside an example of the fraudulent ones on the right. (RCMP handout(
Shopping Trends
The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at CTV News. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop. Read about us.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
PM Justin Trudeau planning to oversee long-awaited cabinet shuffle on Friday: sources
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is planning to shuffle his cabinet on Friday, sources confirm to CTV News. The long-awaited reconfiguration of Trudeau's front bench comes amid turmoil for the Liberal government after the shocking resignation of Chrystia Freeland.
Child struck by vehicle south of London has died
According to an online fundraiser organized by a family friend, the boy who was hit by a driver south of London earlier this week has died.
Toronto officer dies after suspected medical episode while executing search warrant: TPS
A police officer who died after having a suspected medical episode on duty was executing a search warrant in connection with an ongoing robbery investigation, Toronto police confirmed Thursday.
Potential scenarios for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and the Liberals
The Liberal government was thrown into disarray this week when Chrystia Freeland stepped down from cabinet as finance minister, reviving calls for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to step down or call an election.
N.B. Liberal government revises Policy 713, parental consent no longer required for students' preferred names
The New Brunswick Liberals are reversing course on the previous government’s decision to change Policy 713.
Amazon workers strike at multiple facilities as Teamsters seek labour contract
Workers at seven Amazon facilities went on strike Thursday, an effort by the Teamsters union to pressure the e-commerce company for a labour agreement during a key shopping period.
Conan O'Brien pays tribute to his parents who died within days of each other
Conan O’Brien is remembering his recently deceased parents. In an interview with the Boston Globe, the former late night television host talked about his mother, Ruth Reardon O’Brien, who died last Thursday, and Dr. Thomas F. O’Brien, who preceded his wife in death three days earlier.
A loving, devoted teacher and a student brimming with artistic ambition are Wisconsin school shooting victims
Rubi Patricia Vergara and Erin Michelle West were killed in a Monday morning shooting at the school in Madison, Wisconsin, the Dane County Medical Examiner’s Office said. Here’s what we know about the victims.
Suspect in UnitedHealthcare CEO killing faces federal murder, stalking and weapons charges
The suspect in the killing of UnitedHealthcare's CEO was whisked back to New York by helicopter Thursday to face new federal charges of murder and stalking, escalating the case after his earlier indictment on state charges.
Montreal
-
Montreal's vacancy rate is going up, but so is rent
The vacancy rate in Montreal is going up for the first time since the pandemic started — but so are rents, which almost doubled in six years, according to new data from the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC).
-
Quebec professor charged for stealing scholarship money intended for foreign students
Quebec anticorruption police have arrested a former university professor for allegedly defrauding and extorting foreign students.
-
Police arrest suspects in SUV theft in Villeray-Saint-Michel-Parc-Extension
Montreal police (SPVM) arrested three suspects in connection with the theft of an SUV that occurred in October in the Villeray-Saint-Michel-Parc-Extension borough.
Ottawa
-
'We know we need to do more': Ottawa Police Service addresses Abdi inquest findings
The Ottawa Police Service (OPS) says it is committed to repairing the "fractured relationships" it has with the local Somali community in the wake of the inquest into the 2016 death of Abdirahman Abdi.
-
OPP charge three former hospital employees with patient privacy breach after unrelated incidents
Three former hospital employees have been charged following investigations into unrelated alleged breach of patient privacy incidents that took place over the course of last year in different parts of the province, according to the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP).
-
Close to 30 per cent of OCDSB schools below ‘state of good repair,' according to financial watchdog
Close to 30 per cent of Ottawa-Carleton District School Board (OCDSB) schools are below a “state of good repair,” according to a new financial report.
Northern Ontario
-
Sudbury man charged with online child sexual abuse material
A Sudbury man, 33, is facing online child sexual abuse material charges after the internet child exploitation unit raided a local home, police say.
-
North Bay woman accused of throwing coffee, spitting on victim
A woman who had been banned from a North Bay business is charged with assault with a weapon after allegedly returning and causing a scene.
-
Donald Trump says Canada becoming 51st U.S. state is 'a great idea.' Jean Charest calls the comment a 'wake-up call'
U.S. President-elect Donald Trump is taking aim at Canada once more, saying it would be 'a great idea' to make it America's ‘51st state.'
Kitchener
-
Inquest rules Fergus man's death a homicide after he was shot by police
A jury has ruled that a Fergus man's death in 2021 was a homicide.
-
Police believe Cambridge jewelry store robberies are connected
Police have made an arrest in a jewelry store robbery at Conestoga Mall in Waterloo, Ont.
-
Thousands of toys collected during Toy Mountain campaign
Thousands of toys will soon put smiles on children’s faces just in time for Christmas morning.
London
-
Community in mourning after boy struck by vehicle while getting off school bus dies
The Lambeth and area community is in mourning after learning a young boy passed away after being struck by a vehicle while getting off his school bus Monday afternoon.
-
Threat of tariffs & food inflation won't break the 'magic' as Business Cares Food Drive marks 25 years
The Business Cares Food Drive is celebrating 25 years of giving in London. The annual campaign concluded with a ‘Morning of Magic’ celebration Thursday.
-
Train bridge struck by transport truck in Thames Centre, Windsor driver charged
OPP were called to the scene on Cherry Hill Road around 6:30 a.m.
Windsor
-
Waste management program featuring locked bins launching in downtown Windsor
A new waste management program is launching in downtown Windsor as part of the Strengthen the Core initiative.
-
Some improvements unveiled at Tecumseh Arena
A tour was held for the media on Thursday to see the updated interior spaces.
-
Ontario college faculty in legal strike position as of Jan. 4: union
The union representing Ontario’s college faculties says it will be in a legal strike position as of Jan. 4., after saying there's been no real progress in contract negotiations.
Barrie
-
'Wow, wow, wow,' Barrie couple turns $1 Encore purchase into $100,000 lottery win
A Barrie couple is celebrating their first big lottery win after playing together for a decade.
-
Barrie man arrested on child pornography charges
Barrie police executed a search warrant at a Barrie home Wednesday.
-
Ont. father says police failed his family after 911 calls went unanswered
An Orangeville man is calling for accountability from Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) after he says thieves armed with a gun broke into his home and left his family traumatized.
Winnipeg
-
84-year-old man dead after being hit by car: Winnipeg police
An 84-year-old man is dead after he was hit by a car on Wednesday in Winnipeg.
-
Manitoba auditor general calls for better cybersecurity, financial reporting
Manitoba's auditor general is calling for better cybersecurity at the province's main health care planning body, and better financial reporting from the provincial government.
-
'Missed opportunities' identified in critical incident review of Earl Moberg case
The Winnipeg Regional Health Authority has apologized to Earl Moberg’s family after finding "missed opportunities" in the care of the 81-year-old man with advanced dementia who went missing a year ago.
Atlantic
-
N.B. Liberal government revises Policy 713, parental consent no longer required for students' preferred names
The New Brunswick Liberals are reversing course on the previous government’s decision to change Policy 713.
-
Nor'easter remains on track to bring heavy snow to the Maritimes starting Friday night
A developing storm moving northward just off the U.S. eastern seaboard looks likely to bring a heavy early winter snowfall to much of Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and the southeastern corner of New Brunswick.
-
Police investigate robberies in Halifax and Dartmouth, N.S.
Halifax Regional Police (HRP) are investigating a robbery at a gas station Wednesday night.
N.L.
-
Newfoundland man facing more charges related to youth sex crimes
A 64-year-old Newfoundland man charged with dozens of sex crimes involving young people is facing several new charges.
-
After fanfare of Churchill Falls deal, Newfoundland urged to learn its dam lessons
Energy observers in Newfoundland and Labrador are urging the provincial government to take a sober second look at a massive tentative deal announced last week with Quebec that promises to deliver hundreds of billions of dollars in revenue to the Atlantic province.
-
Backhoe used to tear the front off Newfoundland bank, four facing charges: RCMP
Four people in eastern Newfoundland are facing charges after a stolen backhoe was used to tear the front off the RBC bank in Holyrood.
Edmonton
-
Dozens of dogs surrendered to SPCA by Brazeau County man
Seventy-two dogs were recently surrendered to Alberta SPCA by a Brazeau County property owner.
-
PM Justin Trudeau planning to oversee long-awaited cabinet shuffle on Friday: sources
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is planning to shuffle his cabinet on Friday, sources confirm to CTV News. The long-awaited reconfiguration of Trudeau's front bench comes amid turmoil for the Liberal government after the shocking resignation of Chrystia Freeland.
-
Cold Lake First Nations chief ready to defend federal Impact Assessment Act in court
The chief of Cold Lake First Nations says he plans to intervene in the provincial government’s court challenge of the federal Impact Assessment Act on the feds’ side.
Calgary
-
Danielle Smith, Adriana LaGrange to share update on new doctor pay model
Premier Danielle Smith and Alberta's health minister are set to announce details on an updated pay model for family physicians Thursday afternoon.
-
Foreign film production has nearly tripled in Alberta despite declines across Canada
Foreign film production nearly tripled in Alberta last year, despite overall declines across Canada, according to a new report.
-
PM Justin Trudeau planning to oversee long-awaited cabinet shuffle on Friday: sources
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is planning to shuffle his cabinet on Friday, sources confirm to CTV News. The long-awaited reconfiguration of Trudeau's front bench comes amid turmoil for the Liberal government after the shocking resignation of Chrystia Freeland.
Regina
-
Train derailment in west Regina leads to road closures
Police responded to the scene of a minor train derailment in west Regina.
-
Daily flights to Denver coming to Regina in 2025
Regina's International Airport will offer a daily flight to Denver for travellers – beginning in May 2025.
-
How do THC gummies impact driving? Sask. researchers use simulator to find out
Researchers at the University of Saskatchewan are conducting a study to learn how THC edibles impact driving performance.
Saskatoon
-
How do THC gummies impact driving? Sask. researchers use simulator to find out
Researchers at the University of Saskatchewan are conducting a study to learn how THC edibles impact driving performance.
-
'Should move forward': Still no plea from Saskatchewan student who allegedly set teen on fire
More than three months have passed since a Saskatoon girl was set on fire, yet her classmate charged in connection with the incident has still not made a plea.
-
Saskatoon police investigate city's 15th homicide
Major crime and forensic investigators are searching for evidence in what’s been deemed Saskatoon’s 15th homicide of the year.
Vancouver
-
Vancouver Police Union criticizes handling of sexual assault case after officer's death
The president of the Vancouver Police Union has criticized the handling of a sexual assault case that ended in the suicide of a Central Saanich Police officer.
-
750K contraband cigarettes seized in Vancouver CBSA investigation
Border agents in B.C. announced the seizure of more than 750,000 contraband cigarettes Thursday.
-
BC Ferries cancels sailings on Horseshoe Bay – Departure Bay route
BC Ferries has cancelled a number of sailings between Horseshoe Bay and Departure Bay because one of its vessels requires maintenance, according to the company.
Vancouver Island
-
Vancouver Police Union criticizes handling of sexual assault case after officer's death
The president of the Vancouver Police Union has criticized the handling of a sexual assault case that ended in the suicide of a Central Saanich Police officer.
-
BC Ferries cancels sailings on Horseshoe Bay – Departure Bay route
BC Ferries has cancelled a number of sailings between Horseshoe Bay and Departure Bay because one of its vessels requires maintenance, according to the company.
-
Latest B.C. storm brings 140 km/h gusts to Vancouver Island amid wind, snow warnings
Winds approaching 140 km/h have been hitting Vancouver Island weather stations after Environment Canada issued the latest in a series of wind warnings for the B.C. coast.
