Major SIM Swap Scam Busted: Toronto Police Arrest 10, Lay Over 100 Charges

 

In a significant breakthrough, Toronto police have arrested 10 individuals and laid more than 100 charges in connection with a widespread SIM swap scam. The investigation, dubbed “Project Disrupt,” revealed that over 1,500 cell phone accounts across Canada were compromised, resulting in losses exceeding $1 million.

SIM swap fraud involves criminals taking over a victim’s phone number by tricking mobile carriers into transferring the number to a new SIM card. This allows the fraudsters to intercept two-factor authentication codes sent via text message, giving them access to personal information, bank accounts, and other sensitive data.

Detective David Coffey from the Financial Crimes Unit emphasized the importance of collaboration with the Coordinated Cyber Centre (C3) in tackling such sophisticated fraud schemes. He noted that the scam exploited weaknesses in two-step authentication processes, often using fraudulent identification to impersonate legitimate customers.

The investigation began in June 2023 after multiple telecom companies reported suspicious activity. Police executed several search warrants, recovering over 400 pieces of fraudulent identification. Despite the arrests, two female suspects from Toronto remain at large.

Authorities are urging the public to be vigilant and take steps to protect themselves from SIM swap scams, such as setting up PINs or passwords on their cellular accounts and being cautious about sharing personal information online.

This case highlights the growing threat of cybercrime and the need for robust security measures to safeguard personal and financial information.