An Airdrie resident is facing multiple fraud and money laundering-related charges following an investigation by the RCMP Federal Policing Northwest Region’s Provincial Financial Crime Team (PFCT) in Edmonton.
The accused allegedly received more than $100,000 fraudulently from domestic and international victims through e-transfer and wire transfer.
Victims sent the accused money to purchase goods, such as hay bales, deer antlers, antiseptic cleaning wipes and sea urchins, from online sales platforms. Officers believe the fraudulent money transfers occurred between January and July 2023.
Police say the accused is also believed to have been running an informal value transfer system known as hawala. The system uses trade-based money laundering methods, violating the Proceeds of Crime (Money Laundering) and Terrorist Financing Act.
“By working with our partners at the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada and law enforcement agencies across Canada, we found that the individual used the internet to commit multiple frauds with victims across western Canada and abroad,” said Insp. John Lamming of the RCMP in a news release.
Mbua Ngomba Kalla, 49, of Airdrie, was charged was arrested and charged with theft over $5000, possession of property obtained by a crime, failure to register as a money service business, failure to report large value transactions and failure to verify identity.
Kalla is scheduled to appear in the Airdrie Provincial Court on Oct. 17.
The PFCT is a specialized unit that investigates serious fraud, investment scams and corruption spanning several jurisdictions.
If you believe you may be a victim of fraud, or are currently being targeted by fraud, please report it to your local law enforcement and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501. Instances of compromised personal and/or financial information should be reported to your bank and credit card company.