An individual has been charged in connection with a fraud and theft investigation.
On Wednesday, July 2, 2025, an individual claimed a $1 million Lotto Max Free Play ticket with Encore as a sole claimant and received payment from Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG). The OLG Forensic Investigation Unit received and reviewed claims suggesting the winnings may have resulted from a group play arrangement. The case was referred to the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Investigation and Enforcement Bureau (IEB), attached to the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO).
In September 2025, officers from the OPP IEB, with support from the OLG, launched an investigation which confirmed that the ticket was part of a group arrangement. The winnings should have been shared among three individuals, not a single person.
On Wednesday, November 19, 2025, Alex PARUCHA, 70 years old of Toronto, was arrested and charged with the following Criminal Code (CC) offences:
· Theft Over $5,000, s. 334(a)
· Fraud Over $5,000, s. 380(1)(a)
· Possession of property obtained by crime, s. 354CC (1)(a)
The accused was released from custody and is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Toronto on Thursday, January 8, 2026.
Anyone with any information is encouraged to contact the OPP at 1-888-310-1122. Should you wish to remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or ontariocrimestoppers.ca.
About IEB
The IEB is an OPP division, embedded within the AGCO, responsible for conducting criminal, provincial and regulatory investigations to ensure integrity and public safety within AGCO regulated industries.
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
