More victims of Oshawa rental scam come forward bringing total to 42

Another seven people have come forward with allegations they were defrauded in a scam to collect first-and-last rent payments for apartments that don’t exist.

Victims began to come forward in early May, reporting they had initially seen ads on Facebook Marketplace. The ads were ostensibly for apartments in London, Ont. However, after the victims sent over a first-and-last deposit, the advertiser would completely stop communication.

The Durham Regional Police Financial Crimes Unit soon identified 35 victims who had been defrauded of a collective $50,000.

On May 14 officers raided a home near Simcoe St. and Conlin Rd. and arrested Ghana Ariharan, 27, on charges of fraud, possession of property obtained by crime, laundering money, and failure to comply with recognizance.

Police made the arrest public two days later. After this announcement, another seven victims came forward. When these new allegations came to light, police put out a call to see if there were any more unaccounted for. Ariharan has allegedly also operated under the pseudonyms Ariharan Ghana and Ari Haran.

Anyone with further information can call D/Cst. Finley of the Financial Crimes Unit at 1-888-579-1520 ext. 5358 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).