A 31-year-old Brampton man faces more than two dozen charges after a bank impersonation scam that cost an older Durham woman thousands of dollars, Durham Regional Police said.
Police allege the fraud began on Thursday, February 12, 2026, when the victim received a phone call from a woman falsely claiming to work for her financial institution. According to police, the caller told the woman her banking cards had been compromised and had to be collected, and that a representative would come to her home to pick them up and arrange replacements.
A short time later, a man arrived at the woman's residence and took her bank cards and her iPhone, telling her he would return within an hour with replacements. He never came back, according to a Durham Regional Police news release.
Investigators determined that more than $3,000 was withdrawn from the victim's account, and that fraudulent transactions were carried out using her bank cards.
Charges laid
Following an investigation, officers identified and arrested a suspect. Arashdeep Singh, 31, of Brampton, has been charged with theft under $5,000, possession of property obtained by crime under $5,000, two counts of fraud under $5,000, and eight counts of attempted fraud.
He is also charged with nine counts of unauthorized use of credit card data, nine counts of use of a debit or credit card obtained by crime, four counts of disguise with intent, and two counts of failing to comply with probation.
Warning to residents
Durham Regional Police Service is reminding residents never to hand over personal information, banking cards, PIN numbers or cash to anyone who calls claiming to represent a bank or financial institution. Banks will never send a courier or representative to your home to collect banking cards, PINs or cash, police said.
Anyone who believes they have been targeted by a fraud is urged to contact their financial institution immediately and report the incident to police. Officers are also encouraging residents to talk with family members and loved ones about fraud prevention, and to stay alert to scams aimed at seniors and other vulnerable people.
Anyone with additional information about the investigation is asked to contact Central East Division's PC Hristov at 1-888-579-1520, ext. 1701. Anonymous tips can be sent to Durham Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477, and tipsters may be eligible for a $2,000 cash reward.
