Hours before Ottawa officially opened its own web portal for passport renewals, York Regional Police announced the arrest of two Greater Toronto Area residents accused of running fake government websites that promised “expedited” Canadian passports for steep fees. According to police, John Jesse Breslin (34) of Richmond Hill and Phoebe Hui Ting Wong (31) of Markham operated under the business names “Passport Online” and “Passport Express.” The pair allegedly bought online ads that mimicked official IRCC branding and directed applicants to pay processing fees of up to $399—several times the legitimate $160 fee—while collecting personal data such as Social Insurance Numbers and credit-card details. Investigators say at least 120 people filed complaints after paying for a service that delivered neither a passport nor a refund. Some victims discovered their information had been used to apply for credit in their names, raising fears of identity theft. The suspects face charges of fraud over $5,000, possession of property obtained by crime, and unauthorized use of government emblems. Additional counts may follow as police comb through computer servers and seized mobile devices. The case underscores the fraud risks that often accompany new digital government services. IRCC warns users to access the official portal only through Canada.ca and to look for the “.gc.ca” domain in the URL. Employers overseeing corporate mobility programs should remind staff traveling on short notice to verify web addresses and to report suspicious payment requests. York police urge anyone who believes they have been victimized to file a report and to monitor credit files for unusual activity. The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre recorded more than 1,800 immigration-related scams in 2025, causing $6.4 million in losses—a figure authorities fear could rise as criminals exploit the transition to online document services.
Source: CityNews Toronto
