RCMP arrest 5 after temporary foreign worker investigation

5 GTA residents arrested for TWF employment ‘scam’

Five people have been arrested and charged after a year-long investigation into a temporary foreign worker employment scam, according to the RCMP.

The five individuals — all Greater Toronto Area residents — are allegedly responsible for bringing 53 people into Canada ‘under fraudulent means.’

The investigation, dubbed ‘project O-Nanny’ and conducted in partnership between the RCMP and Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) and Immigration Canada, suspected misuse of the National Job Bank and the Temporary Foreign Worker Program.

Individuals at Platinum Care, a foreign worker recruitment and placement agency, were suspected of using falsified documents to create employment offers to foreign workers, and using methods of identity theft to obtain personal information from Canadians. It is alleged the individuals would use the personal information to create fictitious employment offers for the foreign workers.

Rosanna Lim, CEO of Platinum Care, as well as Leahnette Acuna, Shannon Lim, Normita Mandoza and Fazeina Sarlat are all facing charges of multiple counts of identity theft, forgery, and uttering forged documents.

"Protecting Canadians from identity theft as well as ensuring the integrity of our Government's programs are very important goals for the RCMP," said Sgt. Louie Casale of the Toronto West Serious and Organized Crime Team.

"The RCMP continues to work hard in partnership with ESDC and CIC to protect the integrity of programs and services provided to the public by the Government of Canada."

The investigation is ongoing, and the accused are scheduled to appear in court on August 6.

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