Two Barrie men charged in pool installation fraud, resulted in $489,000 in losses: OPP
Courtesy Barrie360.com
By Will Konken
Provincial police have charged two Barrie men following a two-year fraud investigation related to pool installations across the County of Simcoe.
Between February 1, 2022, and November 27, 2023, OPP received multiple reports of fraud in several detachment areas involving a pool and landscape company.
“Clients experienced numerous delays and misdirected communications,” OPP said in a news release today. “The clients’ backyards would either be left in disarray with improper installation, or, in most cases, the work never started.”
Police say investigations revealed that the accused used the company to defraud more than 16 clients, amounting to over $489,000 in losses.
A 46-year-old has been arrested and charged with:
- Fraud over $5000 – 14 counts
- Obtaining by false pretences over $5000 – 14 counts
- Mischief over $5000 – 3 counts
While a 47-year-old has been arrested and charged with:
- Fraud over $5000 – 14 counts
- Obtaining by false pretences over $5000
Both were released and are scheduled for court in Midland on June 20.
The OPP Central Region Fraud Unit, Huronia West Crime Unit, and Southern Georgian Bay Crime Unit are continuing this investigation.
Anyone who thinks they have been a victim of any fraud is asked to contact the OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). You can also report to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre’s online reporting system or by phone at 1-888-495-8501.