Police say one of the suspects wanted in connection with defrauding a Durham Region business out of more than $3 million over a 15-year period has turned themselves in.
Last week, investigators revealed the results of a “complex, long-term” fraud investigation dubbed “Project Fletcher,” which first began in November 2021.
The investigation focused on a 54-year-old female employee, police said, who worked as the operations manager with a Durham Region company.
Investigators allege that the female employee 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."
A forensic audit identified approximately 270 fraudulent cheques issued to eight subcontractor companies and deposited into 22 bank accounts, according to police, and investigators believe the fraud may have spanned more than 15 years, costing the company more than $3 million.
Eight suspects had been previously arrested by Durham police, with five more outstanding.
In an update on Tuesday, police said one of those five suspects turned themselves in earlier in the day.
Alexandra Noemi Ramos Bausero, 39, of Aurora, is charged with one count each of fraud over $5000, possessing proceeds of crime over $5000, theft over $5000, and laundering proceeds of crime.
Police say she was released on an undertaking.
Investigators are urging the remaining suspects to contact counsel and turn themselves in to police.
“Anyone who is found to be assisting these suspects to evade police is guilty of an offence under the Criminal Code of Canada and will be prosecuted to the full extent,” police said.
