A woman transferred cash to an alleged fraudster after a fake cop threatened to arrest her if she failed to turn over money, according to York Regional Police.
A woman allegedly received a phone call during October 2022 from an unknown man who, after identifying himself as a Shanghai municipal police officer, threatened to arrest her for committing criminal offences unless she paid him money.
Police said the bogus cop turned up at the woman’s Markham home the following month, allegedly providing fake photo identification, claiming that it was issued by Shanghai Municipal Police and Interpol.
The woman was also provided with a forged document that listed him as a supervisor with Shanghai Municipal Police and authorized him to seize money in Canada on the force’s behalf, according to the accusations.
The woman was driven to two banks and money was transferred to a man’s account.
Zhi Yong Wu, 57, faces charges, including fraud exceeding $5,000, uttering a forged document, and impersonating a peace officer.
Police urged anyone with information to call 1-866-876-5423, ext. 7541.