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Toronto resident accused of extorting Bradford seniors

South Simcoe police say the international investigation is ongoing
2015-12-30 South Simcoe Police KA 02
File photo. Kenneth Armstrong/Village Media

NEWS RELEASE
SOUTH SIMCOE POLICE SERVICE
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South Simcoe Police Service officers have made an arrest following an international investigation into an extortion committed on an elderly Bradford couple.

On Thursday, June 4, 2020, around 2 p.m., the seniors received a call from an unknown female who threatened the victims with police action if they didn’t go to the bank and withdraw a sum of cash.  The frightened couple complied.  

The female suspect then instructed the victims to leave the money outside their home located in the Holland Street West and Langford Boulevard area. A male suspect picked up the cash and fled on foot to a nearby waiting vehicle.

South Simcoe Police Service detectives determined the scam was linked to a European country. Following an exhaustive investigation involving the RCMP and policing authorities in Europe, South Simcoe Police executed a search warrant at a Toronto home on Wednesday, Nov. 25, 2020 and made an arrest.

Valentino Vajda, 34, of Toronto was charged with the following offences:  

  • Robbery  
  • Extortion  
  • Breach of probation  
  • Possession of property obtained by crime  
  • Conspiracy to commit an indictable offence  
  • Fail to comply with recognizance

The accused was released with a future court date and conditions.  Police seized a number of items during the search warrant. The victims and their family members were notified of the arrest and thanked police for their efforts. The investigation is ongoing and police believe there may be other victims. Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Constable Ian Fenik at 905-775-3311, 705-436-2141, ext. #1059, [email protected] or contact Crime Stoppers.

South Simcoe Police Service wants to remind the public that online and telephone scams continue to impact the broader community. Scams and cybercrimes can touch anyone, anywhere, at any time. If you or a family member have been affected, report it to police and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre here.

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