News

3 men face 130 ATM fraud charges in Canada

August 25, 2003

TORONTO -- Three Toronto men are facing more than 130 charges -- including participating in organized crime, possession of stolen credit cards, possession of personal banking information and theft -- following an investigation by Chatham-Kent police.

According to a report in the Chatham Daily News, police credit an observant Chatham woman for reporting suspicious activity near an ATM on Aug. 21, which led to the arrests of Mihail Zekser, 49; Gary Baranov, 35; and Vadzim Paulenkouw, 20.

Police report that several thousands of dollars in cash and forged bank cards were seized from the suspects.

Paulenkouw is to appear in Chatham court on Aug. 26, while Zekser and Baranov made a court appearance Aug. 25 and will be before the courts again on Aug. 27.

Assistant Crown attorney Ryan Wilson said on Aug. 25 that the investigation resulted in additional charges, as some other police agencies are involved. "The submitted crimes are complex," he said, requesting additional time before a bail hearing is held.

The investigation is part of "a much bigger iceberg," Wilson said. "We anticipate more charges."

Justice of the Peace Elaine Babcock said a day-long bail hearing date will likely be required as she anticipated it would take a long time to present the necessary information. A bail hearing isn't likely to occur before Sept. 3, according to the Daily News.