Multiple arrests have been made following a major counterfeit currency investigation by the Halton Regional Police Service (HRPS).
Project Mirage began last August after investigators discovered Instagram accounts advertising counterfeit Canadian cash disguised as “film prop money,” with orders processed online and shipped across the country. The investigation linked the fake currency to fraud cases across the Greater Toronto Area and determined the operation generated more than $60,000 in sales before being shut down.
On Tuesday, March 31st, officers executed search warrants at three residences in Toronto, seizing counterfeit currency, electronics, packaging materials, and drugs including cocaine, MDMA, methamphetamine, and Xanax. Police also recovered a gold bar and tools used in the production of fake banknotes.
Six Toronto men are now facing a total of nearly two dozen charges.
23-year-old Rafi Ahmed of Toronto is facing charges of:
- Fraud over $5000
- Uttering Counterfeit Money
- Advertising and Dealing in Counterfeit Money
24-year-old Shafi Ahmed of Toronto is facing charges of:
- Fraud over $5000
- Uttering Counterfeit Money
- Advertising and Dealing in Counterfeit Money
21-year-old Levente Glonczi of Toronto is facing charges of:
- Fraud over $5000
- Uttering Counterfeit Money
- Advertising and Dealing in Counterfeit Money
29-year-old David Ho of Toronto is facing charges of:
- Fraud over $5000
- Uttering Counterfeit Money
- Advertising and Dealing in Counterfeit Money
31-year-old Jason Ho of Toronto is facing charges of:
- Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking (Cocaine)
- Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking (Xanax)
- Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking (MDMA)
- Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking (Methamphetamine)
29-year-old Thanh Bui of Toronto is facing charges of:
- Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking (Cocaine)
- Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking (Xanax)
- Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking (MDMA)
- Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking (Methamphetamine)
Police are reminding residents to be cautious when handling cash, noting counterfeit bills may show signs such as repeated serial numbers, poor print quality, unusual wording like “prop money,” or holographic strips that appear tampered with.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the HRPS Financial Crimes Unit at 905-825-4777 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).
