Man charged after allegedly soliciting funds using fake Ontario magazine for more than a decade
A screengrab from Ontario Police Public Safety News' websites can be seen above. (Ontario Police Public Safety News/Website)
A man in his 50s from Oakville, Ont. has been arrested and charged after allegedly selling advertisements and soliciting funds using a fake magazine for more than a decade.
Investigators allege that, between April 2011 and May 2023, an individual solicited funds for a fake publication, entitled ‘Ontario Police Public Safety News.’
- Download our app to get local alerts on your device
- Get the latest local updates right to your inbox
They would tell business owners that the publication was widely distributed in Ontario in an effort to sell ad placements, investigators allege. The suspect also told individuals that funds would be donated to community and educational programs for children, they said.
“The magazine was not widely distributed,” TPS said in its release. “The community programs do not exist.”
Due to the name of the magazine, the victims involved believed the accused was affiliated with police services, it states.
A logo for the fake publication can be seen above. (TPS handout)
On Monday, Toronto police said 58-year-old Azher Hyder had been arrested and charged with one count of fraud over $5,000.
Hyder is scheduled to make his first appearance at the Ontario Court of Justice in Toronto on Nov. 10.
Police are asking anyone who believes they may have been an alleged victim of Hyder to contact them. TPS’ Financial Crime Unit also issued a reminder that police services do not solicit funds for any purpose.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'Immoral depravity': Two men convicted in case of frozen migrant family in Manitoba
A jury has found two men guilty on human smuggling charges in a case where a family from India froze to death in Manitoba while trying to walk across the Canada-U.S. border.
Canada's tax relief plan: Who gets a cheque?
The Canadian government has unveiled its plans for a sweeping GST/HST pause on select items during the holiday period. The day after the announcement, questions remain on how the whole thing will work.
Quebec man, 81, gets prison sentence after admitting to killing wife with Alzheimer's disease
An 81-year-old Quebec man has been sentenced to prison after admitting to killing his wife with Alzheimer's disease.
Canada issues travel warning after 6 people die from tainted alcohol in Laos
The Canadian government is warning travellers following the deaths of at least six people in the mass poisoning of foreign tourists in Laos after drinking tainted alcohol.
Pat King found guilty of mischief for role in 'Freedom Convoy'
Pat King, one of the most prominent figures of the 2022 'Freedom Convoy' in Ottawa, has been found guilty on five counts including mischief and disobeying a court order.
Ground beef tied to U.S. E. coli recall, illnesses wasn't sold in Canada: distributor
At least 15 people have been sickened by E. coli poisoning tied to a recall of potentially tainted ground beef, U.S. federal health officials said. The company tells CTVNews.ca it was not sold in Canada.
Canada's new income tax brackets in 2025: What you need to know
The Canada Revenue Agency has released updated federal income tax brackets for 2025, reflecting adjustments for inflation. Here’s the breakdown.
Measles outbreak: Canada sees highest number of cases in past nine years
Thirty new measles cases were reported this week in Canada, bringing the total number in Canada to 130 in 2024.
Food prices continue to outpace inflation in Canada
For the second straight month, grocery prices in Canada rose faster than the inflation rate, and beef in particular is significantly pricier than it was last year.
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.
Montreal
-
Quebec man, 81, gets prison sentence after admitting to killing wife with Alzheimer's disease
An 81-year-old Quebec man has been sentenced to prison after admitting to killing his wife with Alzheimer's disease.
-
Third suspect sought in killing of Montreal cryptocurrency influencer
Quebec provincial police are searching for a third suspect in connection with Kevin Mirshahi, the cryptocurrency influencer who was kidnapped and killed last summer.
-
Former Quebec pension fund workers charged in U.S. in Indian government bribery case
Quebec’s pension fund manager says it is co-operating with United States authorities after three former employees were indicted in federal court in Brooklyn, N.Y., in an alleged scheme to give hundreds of millions of dollars in bribes to the Indian government.
Ottawa
-
Woman seriously injured in October house fire dies in hospital, Ottawa police say
A 51-year-old woman has died in hospital, more than a month after a fire damaged a home in Ottawa's west end. The Ottawa Police Service says it is now treating the death of Ottokie Kelly as a homicide.
-
Orleans man calls for changes after service guide dog attacked by another dog
An Orléans man who uses a service guide dog wants to see changes to rules surrounding dog attacks, after his guide dog was attacked by another dog last month.
-
Ottawa police officer acquitted in death of Abdirahman Abdi testifies at inquest
The Ottawa police officer acquitted in the death of Abdirahman Abdi six years ago spoke publicly for the first time at the coroner's inquest into the Ottawa man's death.
Northern Ontario
-
Senior killed in dog attack in northern Ont.
An 81-year-old was killed in a dog attack this week in Bonfield, Ont. Police believe three dogs were involved.
-
Woman stabbed multiple times in Sudbury altercation
A 30-year-old woman is in hospital in Sudbury after she was stabbed multiple times early Friday morning in Chelmsford.
-
Police investigating death in Magnetawan, Ont.
The Almaguin Highlands detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police is investigating a sudden death in Magnetawan.
Kitchener
-
Man charged in Kitchener crash involving Grand River Transit LRT
Charges were laid after a crash between an LRT train and a Dodge vehicle shut down a busy Kitchener street for more than eight hours on Thursday.
-
FunGuyz says it's closing all 30 of its magic mushroom stores in Ontario
FunGuyz, which calls itself the biggest magic mushroom dispensary in Canada, says it's shutting down all 30 of its Ontario locations.
-
Brantford man missing for more than two weeks
Police are looking for a Brantford man last seen at the beginning of the month.
London
-
VIDEOVIDEO London house fire spreads to neighbouring property
London fire crews and police are on scene of a house fire in east London. Crews were called to the 1800 block of Culver Drive, east of Third Street and south of Oxford Street, around 11:30 a.m.
-
Police investigating following fire that prompted school evacuation at Ingersoll District Collegiate Institute
Police have deemed that a fire at an Ingersoll Highschool was suspicious in nature. Students and staff at Ingersoll District Collegiate Institute were safely evacuated following the fire at the school on Friday morning.
-
Charges laid after transport truck crash causes Highway 401 lane closure
Significant delays are being reported in the area and tow trucks are on scene to help. No injuries have been reported.
Windsor
-
Attempted bank robbery leads to arrest
Windsor police are crediting a quick response by their downtown patrol officers to help arrest a 39-year-old man after an attempted bank robbery.
-
Man arrested in connection to sexual assault on public bus: WPS
A man has been arrested by Windsor police following an incident on a public bus.
-
The Gift CK returns for fifth year
The Gift CK is coming back to Chatham-Kent for a fifth year on Nov. 30.
Barrie
-
Highway 400 closed in Muskoka Lakes after fatal propane truck rollover
Emergency crews were called to Highway 400 in Georgian Bay Township Friday morning after a fatal tanker truck rollover.
-
Drug trafficking investigation results in largest fentanyl seizure in Simcoe County: OPP
Two people are facing drug trafficking charges after what provincial police are calling the largest fentanyl seizure in Simcoe County.
-
Barrie magic mushroom dispensary closed after company announces its shuttering Ont. locations
The doors are locked and the OPEN sign is off on Friday at an illegal magic mushroom dispensary in downtown Barrie one day after FunGuyz announced it would shutter its 30 Ontario locations.
Winnipeg
-
'Immoral depravity': Two men convicted in case of frozen migrant family in Manitoba
A jury has found two men guilty on human smuggling charges in a case where a family from India froze to death in Manitoba while trying to walk across the Canada-U.S. border.
-
Human remains found in Manitoba community
Human remains have been discovered near a home in the RM of Rockwood, Man.
-
CFIB calling on federal government to intervene as Canada Post strike continues
The Canadian Federation of Independent Businesses is calling on the federal government to step in and get Canada Post employees back to work.
Atlantic
-
What to know about the weekend rain, wind, and waves in the Maritimes
A fall storm moving from Cape Cod into the Maritimes will bring rainy and windy weather to the region this weekend.
-
P.E.I. teen sentenced to 2 years in custody in death of Tyson MacDonald
A teen who pleaded guilty in the death of 17-year-old Tyson MacDonald on Prince Edward Island last year has been sentenced to two years in custody.
-
Missing Nova Scotia senior found safe after emergency alert issued
A vulnerable man who was missing in Cape Breton has been found safe.
N.L.
-
As N.L. firm pivots, scientists say Canada's green hydrogen dreams are far-fetched
A Newfoundland energy company's embrace of data centres is raising doubts about eastern Canadian hopes of harnessing the region's howling winds to supply Germany with power from green hydrogen.
-
Canadian leads group pushing Vatican for zero-tolerance policy on abuse by clergy
An international group led by a Canadian is in Rome this week to push the Catholic Church to adopt a zero-tolerance policy on abuse by clergy.
-
Newfoundland wind-to-hydrogen company eyes data centre as international market lags
A company hoping to build a multi-billion-dollar wind-to-hydrogen project in western Newfoundland is eyeing other options as Canada's plans to supply Europe with green energy have not yet materialized.
Edmonton
-
Man intentionally drove his vehicle into Alberta home before firing long gun: RCMP
An Alberta man has been charged after he allegedly drove his vehicle into a home and fired a gun in a town east of Edmonton.
-
Woman accused in drowning of girl at Alberta lake had been under house arrest
A bail hearing has heard that a woman accused in the drowning death of a five-year-old girl in an Alberta lake didn't know the child and was supposed to be under house arrest.
-
Harry Ainlay Titans vying for 2024 provincial championship this weekend
Edmonton's Harry Ainlay Titans are, for the sixth time in seven years, headed to the provincial high school 5A football championship on Saturday.
Calgary
-
Sixth person charged in Tara Miller's death
Alberta RCMP have charged a sixth person in connection with the death of Calgarian Tara Miller.
-
Calgary under a snowfall warning, drivers warned to be prepared
Calgary is under a snowfall warning with total amounts of 15 to 25 centimetres expected.
-
Calgary saw the largest new home price increases in Canada over the past year: StatCan
Calgary saw the largest increase in the price of new homes among Canadian cities over the past year, new data reveals. Despite some of Canada’s largest markets experiencing a decrease in new home prices year-over-year, Calgary’s rose 4.5 per cent.
Regina
-
Report shows more girls getting involved in sports, local program creates landscape to continue trend
A Regina program has created a landscape to encourage more girls to get involved in sports while building their self-esteem.
-
Snowfall warning expands to Regina with up to 25 cm expected
Much of southwest Saskatchewan, including Regina, is under a snowfall warning on Friday, with total amounts of 10 to 25 centimetres expected.
-
Accused of sexual assault, Regina chiropractor takes the stand as first defense witness
A Regina chiropractor accused of sexually assaulting seven different women took the stand Thursday as arguments began in his defense.
Saskatoon
-
'What about our spirituality?': Sask. man wants new Lighthouse operator to respect Indigenous culture
A Saskatoon man is concerned about an Alberta non-profit coming into the city to open a new shelter and run the Lighthouse.
-
Sask. principal has sexual assault conviction overturned in light of 'butt-grabbing game'
A Saskatchewan principal sentenced to six months behind bars for sexual assault has another chance to prove he’s the victim of a middle-school prank that escalated out of control.
-
Saskatoon man seriously injured after rolling snowmobile in city alleyway
A 50-year-old man is recovering in hospital with serious injuries after overturning a snowmobile in Saskatoon’s College Park neighbourhood on Thursday.
Vancouver
-
No criminality in school bus crash in B.C.'s Cariboo region, RCMP say
An investigation into the school bus crash near Lac La Hache, B.C., earlier this year that left dozens of people hurt and one Good Samaritan dead has concluded the incident was nothing more than a tragic accident, the RCMP revealed Friday.
-
Livestreamed threats against police lead to arrest in Richmond, B.C., RCMP say
Mounties in Richmond say they arrested a man outside city hall on Friday morning after receiving a report that he was uttering threats against police while livestreaming on social media.
-
One hospitalized after fiery crash on Hwy 1 in Chilliwack
A fiery two-vehicle crash in Chilliwack closed multiple lanes of Highway 1 Friday morning, which have now reopened.
Vancouver Island
-
Campbell River high school closed due to fire
Carihi Secondary school in Campbell River is closed due to a fire on the property overnight – drawing a firefighting response from multiple departments and a crowd of onlookers.
-
Power restored, roads reopened after massive Saanich fire
The power has been restored and single-lane traffic reopened on Saanich’s Quadra Street by the wreckage from a massive fire on a condo construction site.
-
More wind on the way to B.C.'s South Coast as thousands still without power
Another windstorm is headed to B.C.’s South Coast Friday, though Environment Canada says it will be weaker than the bomb cyclone event earlier this week.
