Couple facing nearly 300 charges related to identity fraud: Hamilton Police

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Published April 15, 2020 at 11:43 am

Hamilton police charged a man and woman with hundreds of offences related to identity fraud.

Hamilton police charged a man and woman with hundreds of offences related to identity fraud.

Police say they raided a residence “related to a couple previously charged with multiple fraud offences” on Jan. 16. They say multiple items were seized, including electronic devices, appliances, payment cards, identification, banking documents, and mail addressed to a number of people not affiliated with the address.

After detectives obtained a warrant to examine the seized electronic devices, police say they identified personal and banking information for an additional 162 victims of identity theft.

“These victims suffered bank account takeovers, fraudulent transactions on their credit cards, loans and other credit obtained in their names,” according to police.

CHARGED

  • Bobbi-Jo Reichheld, 34-year-old female from Hamilton
  • Joshua Virag, 31-year-old male of no fixed address

CHARGES JOINTLY SHARED

  • Identity theft X 152
  • Identity fraud X 78
  • Fraud under $5000 X 23
  • Unauthorized possession of a credit card X 3
  • Possession of property obtained by crime under $5000 X 11
  • Possession of property obtained by crime over $5000 X 1
  • Mischief to property over $5000 X 1
  • Possession of counterfeit mark X 3

ADDITIONAL CHARGES TO JOSHUA VIRAG

  • Fraud under $5000 X 3
  • Identity theft X 8
  • Identity fraud X 9

Reichheld is scheduled to appear at the John Sopinka Courthouse on June 11. Virag is scheduled to appear on April 30. The couple will be facing 292 criminal charges.

Police reminded the public that if they learn their bank account or credit card account has been compromised, to call the police and file a report.

For cases of Identity Fraud contact credit reporting centres to check your credit activity and flag your credit account for fraud:

  • TransUnion #1-877-525-3823
  • Equifax #1-800-465-7166
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