The Financial Crimes Unit has arrested three men in connection with a series of mail thefts across the Greater Toronto Area and southern Ontario.
Mass Marketing investigators allege that thieves broke into Canada Post mailboxes over a period of several months, stealing cheques, credit and debit cards, identity documents and other valuables.
“These are organized groups involved in this activity,” said Detective Sergeant Anthony Coscarella. “Generally what they are after are those financial and identity documents they sell to other organized groups that will then use the cheques to commit fraud and the identity and financial banking documents to commit identity theft. They also do a variety of other frauds.”
On January 11, officers executed a search warrant at a Toronto residence and arrested three individuals alleged to have perpetrated the mailbox break-ins and thefts.
Police seized a large quantity of stolen mail, including financial documents and government-issued identity documents as well as tools used to break into the mailboxes.
Krisztian Algacs, 32, Miklos Budai, 34, and Zoltan Organa, 31, all of Toronto, face theft of mail, Mischief Under $5,000 and Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Under $5,000 charges.
During the investigation, Coscarella said officers alleged that this group worked across southern Ontario.
Investigators worked with partners at Canada Post Security and Investigation Services, the Ministry of Finance and Toronto Strategic Partnership members. The Canada Border Service Agency also assisted.
Anyone with information can contact the Financial Crimes Unit at (416) 808-7300, Crime Stoppers at (416) 222-TIPS (8477), online at www.222tips.com or text TOR and your message to CRIMES (274637).
