Toronto police say a suspect accused of defrauding hundreds of immigrants out of more than $2 million is facing dozens of new charges.
Toronto police previously said a 46-year-old woman had been arrested in February in connection with an investigation into GoWest Jobs International.
It is alleged that the company posed as a recruiting agency that helped connect foreign workers with jobs in Canada. For a fee, police say the company promised to provide the foreign workers with documents, references and employment contracts. The documents, however, were fake, police say, and the prospective employees were denied entry to Canada. The applicants were also banned from re-applying for two years.
According to investigators, more than 600 people from six different countries have come forward with allegations against GoWest, which received more than $2.3 million in fees.
Imelda "Mel" Fronda Saluma is facing a total of 73 fraud-related charges, including making documents without authority, fraud over $5,000 and obtaining by false pretense.
Police say they believe there may be more victims and ask anyone with information to contact Detective Constable Erwin Mendoza at 416-808-3189, Detective Constable Jennifer Rae at 416-808-3107 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477).
