theftlossdeduction.com

03/02/09 - Winnipeg Free Press - The final suspect wanted on a Canada-wide warrant in connection to a complex RCMP fraud investigation has been arrested.

Manitoba RCMP confirmed this afternoon that 55-year-old Kenneth Bray turned himself into police in Burnaby, B.C. Friday.

Bray is the sixth and final person facing fraud-related charges he was allegedly part of what investigators are calling a Ponzi scheme.

RCMP commercial crime officers recently came forward with details of a scheme where more than $1.4 million was bilked out of eight Manitobans between Jan. 1, 1999 and March, 2004.

Police said on Feb. 5 that the men would approach and encourage their victims to invest in the purchase and resale of used restaurant equipment which would be trucked to the U.S. and sold for a quick profit. The suspects were operating a “shell” company called HSN Management, police allege.

One victim, Don Masson of Ste. Rose du Lac, told the Free Press that he believes that the number of people scammed and the total dollar amount could be much higher than police have reported.

RCMP, however say they consider their investigation closed and are not seeking to identify further victims.

Bray joins Ronald Simpson, 66, Abraham Riemer, 57, Peter Gay, 51, Phong Doan, 33 and his son, Christopher Bray, 33 in being charged with fraud over $5,000 and conspiracy to commit fraud.

Bray was due to make a court appearance this morning in Winnipeg.