In Toronto, the police detained 10 people and laid forward 108 charges as part of a large-scale investigation of fraud involving the substitution of SIM cards known as “Project Disrupt”. The investigation, initiated in June 2023, was a collaborative effort between the financial crimes unit and the coordinated cyber center (C3).
The fraudsters exploited a vulnerability in two-factor authentication to access the mobile numbers of victims. By replacing SIM cards, they were able to intercept messages and calls related to password recovery, gaining access to victims’ sensitive information, including online banking and social media accounts.
Throughout the investigation, law enforcement received numerous reports from telecommunications companies highlighting instances of unauthorized access to their customers’ accounts. The criminals utilized forged documents to verify individuals at mobile operator and bank outlets, as well as employed phishing tactics to extract customer data through counterfeit websites and links.
During the raids, police confiscated over 400 counterfeit identity certificates and various pieces of evidence substantiating the perpetrators’ activities. The total financial losses incurred by victims, telecommunications companies, and financial institutions surpassed $1 million. More than 1,500 cell phone accounts across Canada were compromised.
Among the individuals arrested were young people aged 18 to 24 residing in different Canadian cities, including Toronto, Brampton, Mississauga, and Winnipeg. The charges brought against the suspects encompass grand-scale fraud, unauthorized computer system usage, message interception, and possession of assets acquired through criminal means. Some of the accused also face additional charges for document forgery and misleading others.
The police are currently searching for two suspects:
- Nadia Campelly, 47 years old, from Toronto – charged with fraud and violation of probation terms.
- Erwin Umutijim, 26 years old, from Toronto – accused of data tampering, attempted fraud, and use of counterfeit documents.
The authorities have released photos of the wanted suspects and the fake identity certificates seized during the operation.