Investigators with the Durham Regional Police Service Financial Crimes Unit have conducted a complex, long-term fraud investigation after an employee defrauded a Durham Region business of more than $3 million. The investigation resulted in eight arrests, and police are currently seeking five additional suspects.
The investigation focused on a 54-year-female employed as the Operations Manager with ServiceMaster in Durham Region. Financial irregularities were identified following a corporate restructuring, prompting an internal audit and notification to police in November 2021.
Investigators determined the suspect orchestrated a sophisticated fraud scheme involving the diversion of employee wages, the redirection of payroll funds to other individuals—including family members—and the submission of fraudulent subcontractor invoices for work that was never performed.
Police believe the fraud may have spanned more than 15 years; however, the review period was limited to January 2015 through October 2021 due to lack of available financial records. Losses to ServiceMaster during that six-year period alone are believed to exceed $3 million.
A forensic audit identified approximately 270 fraudulent cheques issued to eight subcontractor companies and deposited into 22 bank accounts. The investigation revealed extensive money laundering activity, including the use of cheque-cashing businesses, multiple financial institutions, and the movement of funds across Durham Region, the Greater Toronto Area, and globally.
Eight individuals have been arrested and charged. Five additional suspects remain outstanding, and police are seeking the public’s assistance in locating them. Photos of the wanted individuals are attached.
DRPS would like to thank FINTRAC and the Forensic Accounting Management Group who were engaged to assist with the investigation, which involved 27 judicial orders, tens of thousands of financial records, and extensive data analysis.
Anyone with information about this investigation is asked to contact A/Detective Finley of the Financial Crimes Unit at 1-888-579-1520, ext. 5358.
Anonymous tips can be submitted to Durham Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or online at www.durhamregionalcrimestoppers.ca. 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.
CHARGE LIST:
Duaa HADWEH age 54 of Clarington is charged with:
Fraud Over $5,000
Theft Over $5,000
Possession of Proceeds Over $5,000
Launder Proceeds of Crime
Utter Forged Documents
Bishara HADWEH age 63 of Clarington is charged with:
Fraud Over $5,000
Theft Over $5,000
Possession of Proceeds Over $5,000
Launder Proceeds of Crime
Rina HADWEH age 30 of the United States is charged with:
Fraud Over $5,000
Theft Over $5,000
Possession of Proceeds Over $5,000
Launder Proceeds of Crime
Richard HADWEH age 31 of Clarington is charged with:
Fraud Over $5,000
Theft Over $5,000
Possession of Proceeds Over $5,000
Launder Proceeds of Crime
Roberto CAMPOS age 63 of Oshawa is charged with:
Fraud Over $5,000
Theft Over $5,000
Possession of Proceeds Over $5,000
Launder Proceeds of Crime
Fabiane BATISTA CAMPOS age 58 of Oshawa is charged with:
Fraud Over $5,000
Theft Over $5,000
Possession of Proceeds Over $5,000
Launder Proceeds of Crime
Melba CARBAJAL age 61 of Oshawa is charged with:
Fraud Over $5,000
Theft Over $5,000
Possession of Proceeds Over $5,000
Launder Proceeds of Crime
Willians Freddy ROMAN age 58 of Brampton is charged with:
Fraud Over $5,000
Possession of Proceeds Over $5,000
Launder Proceeds of Crime
WANTED:
Gabriel Gustavo AMUZ CERQUI age 67 of North York is wanted for:
Fraud Over $5,000
Theft Over $5,000
Possession of Proceeds Over $5,000
Launder Proceeds of Crime
Gabriela Noel AMUZ BALARI age 34 of Toronto is wanted for:
Fraud Over $5,000
Theft Over $5,000
Possession of Proceeds Over $5,000
Launder Proceeds of Crime
Rodrigo Nicolas AMUZ BALARI age 32 of North York is wanted for:
Fraud Over $5,000
Theft Over $5,000
Possession of Proceeds Over $5,000
Launder Proceeds of Crime
Gustavo Alejandro MALVAREZ age 29 of North York is wanted for:
Fraud Over $5,000
Theft Over $5,000
Possession of Proceeds Over $5,000
Launder Proceeds of Crime
Alexandra Noemi RAMOS BAUSERO age 50 of Aurora is wanted for:
Fraud Over $5,000
Theft Over $5,000
Possession of Proceeds Over $5,000
Launder Proceeds of Crime
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
