Arrest made after Good Shepherd scammed $94K: Peel police

A 33-year-old man has been charged after a fraud scheme left the Hamilton-based Good Shepherd organization scammed of $94,000.

Peel police say that in the winter of this year the group providing emergency food, shelter and other services to vulnerable community members was invoiced for work being completed by a contractor who was known to them.

Unknowingly to the contractor themselves, their business email was compromised and spoofed to look like the contractor’s true email.

The organization was advised to send outstanding payments totaling $94,000 to a new bank account which they did.

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When Good Shepherd learned that the funds were not received by the intended contractor, police were contacted.

Investigators have now arrested Emmanuel Pobee of Mississauga and have charged him with possession of property obtained by crime.

Pobee will appear in court at a later date.

Peel police are reminding employers to be vigilant when examining any changes to payments, account numbers and confirming the identity of those in charge of receiving those payments.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Fraud Bureau at (905) 453–2121, ext. 3335.

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