Ontario (Rajeev Sharma): A 70-year-old United States citizen has been sentenced to one year in prison after authorities uncovered a years-long identity fraud operation in eastern Ontario, Canadian police said.
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) in Cornwall began investigating the case in 2024 after the man was arrested while attempting to re-enter Canada using a false identity.
According to an RCMP statement, the investigation revealed that the suspect had unlawfully assumed the identity of a Canadian citizen as early as 2012.
Police said the man had illegally entered Canada between 2008 and 2009 while he was wanted in the US state of New Jersey for failing to appear in court. While living in South Glengarry, Ontario, he allegedly obtained the personal information of a Canadian citizen and used it to impersonate him for personal and financial benefits.
Authorities said the suspect later created an additional false identity and used the stolen information to obtain several official documents, including a Canadian citizenship certificate, passport, driver’s licence and health card.
The scheme came to light when the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) detained him during an attempt to re-enter the country. He was subsequently handed over to the Cornwall RCMP and held in custody. Investigators also seized all fraudulently obtained identification documents.
The man was convicted on multiple charges, including identity fraud, unlawfully obtaining another person’s citizenship, possession of forged government documents, using a forged passport and providing false information.
In addition to the one-year jail term, the court ordered a three-year probation period during which he is prohibited from entering Canada.
RCMP officials said the case highlights the risks posed by identity fraud. “Such offences undermine border security and public safety,” said RCMP Inspector Etienne Thauvette, adding that coordination between the RCMP and CBSA played a key role in dismantling the long-running operation.
