Durham Regional Police – Male Wanted for Numerous Fraud Offences

In September 2024, police issued a “Help Solve a Crime” news release seeking public assistance in identifying a man involved in multiple telephone banking frauds in Bowmanville. He has now been identified, and a warrant has been issued for his arrest.

On Tuesday, September 24, 2024, an elderly female received a phone call from a male claiming to work for the bank. The male stated that there were fraudulent transactions on the victim’s debit and credit cards, and that her accounts had been compromised. The male gathered personal information from the victim and told her she needed to provide her pin number to receive new cards. The male told the victim that a courier would attend her address shortly to pick up the compromised cards and the new cards would be sent to her the next day.

While the victim was still on the phone with the male, another male arrived at the victim’s residence and retrieved the debit and credit cards from her. The victim was told to remain on the phone for technical difficulties before the line disconnected.

Immediately after the suspect retrieved the victim’s debit and credit cards, numerous fraudulent transactions were completed. The same suspect who retrieved the debit/credit cards was seen on camera in Bowmanville, Courtice, and Oshawa completing these transactions.

Thanushan URUTHIRAMOORTHY, age 32 of Markham is wanted for 21 offences including; Fraud Over $5000 x3, Fraud Under $5000, Possess Identity info for Fraudulent Offence x2 and Use Credit Card Obtained by Crime x15.

Anyone with cellphone, dashcam, surveillance footage, or information about this incident is asked to contact D/Cst. Kane of the Financial Crimes Unit at 1-888-579-1520 ext. 5371.

Banking institutions will never ask for your pin number over the phone or offer courier services to pick up debit/credit cards. If you receive a call from your bank and are unsure if its legitimate, contact your bank directly or attend a branch in person.

Please be aware of this scam as well as all other common scams. Knowledge is the key to staying safe and in control. Spreading this information to loved ones and friends is your number one tool for prevention and safety.

DRPS has compiled a list of common scams that have become very prevalent in our community. These can be viewed at www.drps.ca/fraud

If you believe you or a family member are the victim of a scam, please contact Durham Police or your local police service.

Anonymous information can be sent to Durham Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or online at www.durhamregionalcrimestoppers.ca and tipsters may be eligible for a cash reward.

The information in this media release contains facts and circumstances that have been obtained from a police investigation. These allegations have yet to be proven in court.