Police Arrest and Charge Three in $1.6M Fraud at York University

This article was last updated on April 16, 2022

Canada: Oye! Times readers Get FREE $30 to spend on Amazon, Walmart…
USA: Oye! Times readers Get FREE $30 to spend on Amazon, Walmart…

Toronto police has announced to have arrested three suspects in an elaborate fraud scheme that cost York University more than $1.6 million over a seven-year span. In an official statement issued on Thursday, Toronto police disclosed to have arrested and charged the suspects allegedly involved in the “misappropriation of funds from York University, in a fraudulent billing scheme” between November 2005 and October 2012.

The list of three suspects arrested and charged included 51-year-old Vittoria Caparello charged with two counts of fraud over $5,000, 38-year-old Yossi Zaidfeld charged with one count of fraud over $5,000 and 27-year-old Melissa Caparello charged with possession of property obtained by crime under $5,000. Vittoria Caparello was present in court on Wednesday, whereas both Zaidfeld and Melissa Caparello are scheduled to appear in a downtown Toronto courtroom on April, 28.

According to a York University spokesperson, Vittoria Caparello most recently held the position of business manager in the division of continuing education for the Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies until Nov. 3, 2012. Whereas, Zaidfeld most recently held the position of manager of operations in the Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies’ eServices office and was working from Sept 21, 1997 to July 5, 2013. Lastly, Melissa Caparello was reported to be working as an administrative assistant in the Faculty of Environmental Studies up until her arrest. According to the school’s spokesperson, Caparello is still employed by York and “the university is reviewing the matter and will take such action as is appropriate.”