Surrey Man Charged in $550K City Email Scam
A 32-year-old Surrey man is facing charges after allegedly stealing over $550,000 from the City of Hamilton through a sophisticated email fraud scheme.
According to Hamilton police, the fraud unfolded in March 2024 when a city staff member at a housing affiliate received what appeared to be a legitimate email from a known contractor. The message, however, contained altered banking details, leading the employee to unknowingly transfer more than half a million dollars into a fraudulent account.
Funds Dispersed Across Multiple Bank Accounts
The stolen funds were deposited into a bank in Surrey and then rapidly moved across several personal and business accounts in different Canadian banks. The fraud went unnoticed until the intended contractor later reported not receiving the payment.
An internal investigation, backed by the city’s auditor general and a forensic accounting firm, traced the money to a numbered company linked to the accused. The man voluntarily turned himself in to Hamilton police this week and has been released under strict conditions, including surrendering his passport. He is expected in court on August 14.
$417K Recovered, But Losses Remain
Investigators from Hamilton, Surrey, and Edmonton worked together to collect surveillance, voice data, and financial records. Legal actions froze one of the fraudulent accounts, allowing recovery of about $417,000.
However, the city still faces a loss of over $130,000 plus the costs of legal and forensic processes. Hamilton officials stated they are pursuing restitution through legal channels.
City Strengthens Cyber Defenses
In response to the breach, Hamilton Mayor Andrea Horwath reassured citizens that the city is taking stronger cybersecurity measures. “No organization is immune to cyber-attacks,” she said. “But we are committed to protecting public trust through enhanced safeguards.”
Stay tuned to Surrey Speak for more updates on cybersecurity, community crime, and public trust in action.
