Arrest tied to Toronto condo fraud investigation

Wednesday, August 27, 2014

The Toronto Police Service (TPS) announced Tuesday that it had arrested a woman in connection with a condo fraud investigation concerning a project in North York.

In a news release, TPS said it is alleged that a woman, a lawyer acting on behalf of the Centrust Group, completed purchase-and-sale agreements for pre-construction condos at 5220 Yonge St. It is further alleged that she failed to return deposit cheques, provided to her by unit purchasers pending completion of the project, after the project was cancelled. At the time of the Aug. 26 TPS press release, it was alleged that the amount lost by purchasers totaled more than $2 million.

Police arrested Meerai Cho, 63, of Toronto. She faces charges of 25 counts of fraud over $5,000, 25 counts of possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000 and 25 counts of breach of trust. None of the charges has been proven in court. She is due to make a court appearance on Oct. 2.

TPS said in the news release it believes there may be additional victims. Police are asking anyone with information to contact them at 416-808-3200 or b8840@torontopolice.on.ca, or to contact Crime Stoppers anonymously.