Sarnia Police Service officials allege: Sarnia police say two individuals have been charged following a digital fraud investigation that involved compromised email accounts and diverted rent payments.
During the fall of 2025, a local property management company discovered thousands of dollars missing from its business account for an apartment building on Devine Street. Investigators determined that approximately $11,230 in tenant rent payments had been fraudulently redirected.
Police say the investigation revealed that between Aug. 29 and Sept. 2, 2025, nine e-transfer rent payments intended for the company were intercepted and deposited into accounts not associated with the business. While tenants received standard auto-deposit confirmations, the recipient name had been altered, allowing the funds to be diverted.
Through judicially authorized production orders and detailed financial analysis, investigators identified the two individuals who had received and used the misdirected funds. Both have been charged with fraud over $5,000, theft over $5,000, and possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000.
On Feb. 7, 2026, the accused were arrested in Hamilton and released from custody with conditions. They are scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice at a later date.
The Sarnia Police Service thanked the Hamilton Police Service for its assistance throughout the investigation.
“Digital fraud investigations of this nature are highly complex and often involve multiple financial institutions, digital tracing, and cross-jurisdictional coordination,” police said. “Offences of this type frequently extend beyond provincial or national borders, making enforcement challenging. In this case, it is fortunate that the transactions and suspects fell within Canadian jurisdiction, enabling the successful identification of those responsible and the laying of charges.”
Police reminded the public to never share passwords or multi-factor authentication codes, monitor financial accounts regularly, verify email addresses before sending e-transfers, enable multi-factor authentication on all accounts, and immediately report suspicious activity to financial institutions and police.
Anyone who believes they may have been a victim of fraud is encouraged to contact their local police service and report the incident to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre online.
