Kenneth Kenzo Alaye Achu, 27, of Mississauga, Ont., faces three fraud-related charges for allegedly impersonating an elected official last spring with the intent to commit fraud.
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) cybercrime investigative team began an investigation in April 2020 after an unknown person contacted a federal government department employee and requested the transfer of a significant amount of money.
This type of scam is often referred to as “business email compromise,” and in this instance, no transfer of funds took place “thanks to the vigilance of public service staff,” according to an RCMP press release.
Last October, police arrested Achu in connection with the investigation, and he was charged with fraud, identity fraud and conspiracy to commit fraud.
“In this instance, the assistance of public service staff and postal inspectors from Canada Post contributed to the RCMP’s ability to identify and arrest a suspect,” said Inspector Alexandre Beaulieu, who heads the RCMP cybercrime investigative team.