The Halton Regional Police Service (HRPS) has made an arrest and laid multiple charges following a romance scam investigation involving multiple victims.

In January of 2025 detectives with the Financial Crimes Unit began a fraud investigation involving the theft of cheques from a business in Burlington; the cheques stolen and subsequently deposited into a fraudulent bank account while in transit via mail to their intended recipients. As the investigation into the stolen cheques unfolded detectives began to uncover a large scale online romance scam that utilized various online dating platforms and involved the same suspect.  To date detectives have identified three victims in Canada, including an additional victim in the USA.

It is alleged that the suspect would receive on line e-transfers and cheques of various amounts from his victims which would be deposited into bank accounts in the name and alias of Donald Duke. Wearing a face covering to disguise his identity the suspect would then attend numerous different ATM’s to make cash withdrawals of the fraudulently obtained monies.

Following months of investigation to confirm the suspects identity, on July 22, 2025, detectives located and arrested the accused who has been identified as Osarumwense Irabor, (49) of Brampton.

A criminal code search warrant was executed at a location in Brampton where fraudulent documents and further items of evidentiary value were located.

As a result of the investigation Irabor has been charged with the following:

  • Fraud Over $5000
  • Laundering Proceeds of Crime
  • Disguise with Intent
  • Possession of Forged Passport
  • Possession of Property Obtained by Crime – Over $5000
  • Possession, Use, Trafficking Stolen Credit Card

Irabor has been released on an Undertaking with a future court date in Milton.

Investigators estimate current losses to known victims to be over $250,000 and believe there may be additional victims who have not yet come forward. Common aliases used by the accused include Donald Duke, Nathan Douglas, and Peter Anderson.

Members of the public who believe they may have been victimized by Osarumwense Irabor or who have information related to this investigation are asked to contact Detective Constable Matt Ren of the Financial Crimes Unit at 905-825-4777 ext. 8734.

Tips can also be submitted anonymously to Crime Stoppers. "See something? Hear something? Know something? Contact Crime Stoppers" at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or through the web at www.haltoncrimestoppers.ca.

 

Media Inquiries:

Halton Regional Police Service
Media Relations
Phone: 905-825-4899
Email: corpcomm@haltonpolice.ca