Victims of an alleged phone scam thought they were receiving free devices through their existing wireless accounts. Police say the callers later persuaded them to mail those same devices to a mailbox controlled by the operation.
The scheme allegedly began with unsolicited calls from people posing as employees or agents of major telecommunications providers such as Rogers, Bell, or Telus. Victims were told they qualified for a new phone or another device, often at no cost.
Once the equipment arrived, the callers allegedly contacted the victims again, claimed the shipment had been made in error, and provided instructions for returning it. The address did not belong to the wireless company, according to police.
Halton Regional Police said officers arrested a Milton, Ontario, man while he was collecting packages from the mailbox.
The Callers Used Real Wireless Accounts
Callers reportedly manipulated people into ordering genuine phones and tablets through wireless accounts that were already open in their names. According to Oakville News, the callers posed as representatives of telecommunications companies and offered victims new equipment, frequently describing it as free.
Because the orders were placed through legitimate customer accounts, the devices could arrive in ordinary carrier packaging. After delivery, the alleged scammers called again and told the victims that the company had sent the devices by mistake.
They then instructed the recipients to ship the equipment to a designated post office box. The Halton Regional Police Service said that mailbox was controlled by the scammers rather than the telecommunications provider.
Once collected, the devices were allegedly shipped overseas and resold for profit.
Police Watched the Milton Mailbox
Halton Regional Police said the investigation began after authorities were alerted to several suspicious packages heading to a post office box in Milton earlier in July.
Officers from the Financial Crimes Unit placed the location under surveillance. Police said they arrested a suspect on July 9 while he was picking up the packages. Investigators identified the accused as Adnan Asghar, 42, of Milton.
Police said the 22 devices found in his possession included iPhones, iPads, and Samsung Galaxy phones with a combined value exceeding $36,000 CAD. The charges are allegations. The accused has not been convicted in the case.
Three Financial Crime Charges Followed
Asghar was charged with fraud over $5,000, possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000, and laundering proceeds of crime, according to Halton Regional Police.
Authorities asked anyone with information to contact the Financial Crimes Unit. Police also advised consumers who receive unsolicited telecom offers to contact their provider through an independently verified number before ordering or returning equipment.
A Real Carrier Should Not Need a Third-Party PO Box
A phone, tablet, or other device ordered through an existing wireless account should be returned only through the carrier’s verified return process, not to an address supplied by a caller. Before ordering or returning a device, customers should hang up and contact the carrier through the official app, the number on a bill, or the company’s website.
They should also review their wireless account for new lines, device financing, address changes, SIM changes, password resets, or recent orders they did not authorize.
Anyone who mailed a device after a suspicious telecom call should contact the carrier’s fraud department, report the package to the shipping company, preserve all messages, and file a police report. Halton police said anyone with information about this investigation can contact the HRPS Financial Crimes Unit at 905-825-4747 or submit an anonymous tip through Crime Stoppers.