CALGARY: Calgary Police report Anshul Edison Fernando, a man suspected of taking part in defrauding an elderly victim out of $8 million, was arrested on Saturday, May 30 at the Calgary International Airport.
Last week, CPS officers arrested 66-year old Joseph Edison, a.k.a. Joseph Edison Fernando and 37-year old Stephanie Haase Fernando in connection with the alleged scheme. The two have been charged them with fraud and theft-related counts.
According to investigators with the CPS Economic Crimes Unit, the fraud occurred between December 2014 and May 2015.
Police believe the accused used false charities to convince the victim to invest large amounts of money. The investment was allegedly promised to return high rates on the investment and was touted to be guaranteed through various international means.
Investigators believe that as the fraud played out, the suspects told the victim to pay large sums of money in order to have funds released from holdings.
According to the CPS, the money donated by the victim is believed to have been funnelled through the fake charities to international accounts.
Last week, search warrants were executed at two SW Calgary homes and one business, also located in the southwest quadrant of the city.
During the search, Calgary Police report a significant amount of property and evidence was seized including:
Forged bank and government documents
Fraudulent documents for investment accounts
Pyramid scheme accounts
$65,000 worth of gold
10 computers
Banking records and account ledgers
Safe deposit box keys
After finding the keys to safe deposit boxes, an additional search warrant was executed on Thursday, May 28. Inside the boxes, police allegedly discovered silver, jewels, coins and various types of currencies.
Joseph Edison was charged with fraud over $5,000, theft over $5,000 and forgery.
Stephanie Haase-Fernando was charged with fraud over $5,000 and theft over $5,000.
Investigators believe further charges will likely be laid.
CPS investigators believe other people may have had financial dealings with Joseph Edison, who goes by multiple aliases.
Anyone who thinks they may have been solicited for funds related to high-yield investments is encouraged to contact the Calgary Police Service non-emergency number 403-266-1234.
The charges against the accused have not been proven in a court of law.
