Melanie Colley and Vincent Williams arrested for internet phishing scam in Ajax

DRPS investigators have arrested two people in relation to a “phishing” scam, the fraudulent process of acquiring sensitive personal data such as identity information and credit card details.

Investigators determined a 37-year-old female had recently telephoned customers of banks pretending to be a legitimate employee of the bank. The accused would gather personal identity information from customers, including their names, addresses, dates of birth and credit card account numbers. The accused then contacted the bank’s call centre and accessed the credit card accounts, changed the mailing addresses and requested additional supplementary credit cards be issued to the new address. It is further alleged the female accessed 275 accounts from one bank in just over a six-week period. Investigation by the DRPS Major Fraud Unit determined the calls were being made from a landline in a residence in Markham.

On October 21st, 2010 members of the Major Fraud Unit – Organized Crime Section assisted by the Offender Management Unit executed a search warrant at a Havelock Gate residence in Markham. The female accused was arrested without incident and officers determined she had outstanding fraud-related arrest warrants held by police in Toronto, Peel Region, Montreal and Halifax.

Melanie COLLEY, age 37, of Havelock Gate in Markham and Vincent WILLIAMS, age 41, of Edgley Court in Ajax are both charged with: Fraud Over $5000; Possess Credit Card Obtained By Crime; Unlawful Possession of Credit Card Data and Possess Identity Information for a Fraudulent Purpose.

COLLEY is further charged with: Conspiracy to Commit an Indictable Offence- Personation To Gain Advantage; Personation to Avoid Arrest/Prosecution and Obstruct Police.

WILLIAMS is further charged with Fail to Comply with Probation.