Police have uncovered a theft ring involving fake passports, over $23,000 in cash, and luxury vehicles worth $250,000 shipped overseas. The group, including a Milton woman, allegedly targeted elderly victims in what police call “distraction thefts.”
The thefts occurred between December 2023 and October 2024 at banks and retail stores. Investigators say the suspects worked together to steal victims' PINs, wallets, and bank cards. They then withdrew money to buy pre-paid credit cards, which were used to purchase expensive electronics and luxury items.
Recovered Items:During the investigation, police found:
50 smartwatches
Eight iPhone 15 Pro Max phones
$23,000 in cash
50+ bottles of designer perfume
Lottery tickets
21 pre-paid credit cards worth over $10,000
They also discovered fraudulent passports, lock-picking tools, and four luxury vehicles fraudulently obtained and shipped overseas.
Arrests and Charges:Five suspects have been arrested and face a total of 96 charges:
Constantin Florian, 39, and Virgil Barbu, 44, both of Quebec
Aura-Floria Florian, 40, and Andreea Popa, 32, with no fixed address
Dumitrita Pauniou, 49, of Milton
Two other suspects, Vasile-Virgil Rata, 46, and Eugen Catruna, 52, remain at large.
Ongoing Investigation: Police believe there may be additional victims and expect more charges and arrests. Anyone with information is urged to contact the Toronto Police Service.
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