Toronto police have charged a 66-year-old man in connection with a renovation scam targeting members of the city’s Italian community.
Matteo De-Paola was arrested on Tuesday, June 23 and charged with one count of fraud over $5,000.
The man is accused of taking large sums of money upfront from seniors as deposits for paving and renovation work without completing the work or purchasing materials.
Police say a 77-year-old woman paid $25,000 for renovations on her home between June 2012 and May 2015. The renovation work never took place.
De-Paolo has operated in the past under the business names of Paveland Paving Inc., M. De Paola General Contractor Paving, and A&M De Paola General Contractor Paving.
The man appeared in court at 1000 Finch Avenue West on June 24.
Police believe there are other victims who have not yet come forward.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Det. Const. Erwin Mendoza at 416-808-3189 or Det. Const. Jennifer Rae at 416-808-3107, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477).
