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Canada’s self-proclaimed “crypto king” faces criminal fraud charges
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Two men from Ontario, including the self-proclaimed “King of cryptocurrencies” were charged under the Criminal Code of Canada following a 16-month joint investigation by the Ontario Securities Commission and Durham Regional Police called Project Swan.
Aiden Pleterski of Whitby, Ontario, is charged with fraud over $5,000 and proceeds of laundering Canadian crime. Colin Murphy, of Oshawa, Ontario, is charged with fraud over $5,000. The charges against Pleterski, who is being held on bail, are covered by a publication ban issued on May 14. Murphy was released on bond.
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In July 2022, Durham Police began receiving numerous reports of investment fraud involving a male from the Whitby area, according to a news release issued Wednesday. During the course of the investigation they came to know about another person associated with the former who claimed to be making huge weekly profits through smart investments.
“Victims provided him with money, with the expectation that he was investing it on their behalf and would return large profits,” according to the press release. “These victims were also ultimately scammed and were unable to recover their funds.”
More details will be provided by police after Thursday’s press conference.
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The investigation was conducted by a joint task force including members of the OSC Enforcement branch and the Durham Regional Police Financial Crimes Unit, with assistance from the Toronto Police Service, York Regional Police and of the Financial Transaction and Reporting Analysis Center of Canada (FINTRAC).
• Email: bshecter@nationalpost.com
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