EXCLUSIVE: Confronting an alleged rental fraudster in Toronto

By Adrian Ghobrial and CiCi Fan

A Canada-wide warrant may soon be issued for an alleged rental fraudster, following a CityNews investigation.

CityNews came face-to-face with suspect Bum Joon Kim after speaking with several alleged victims.

Two Japanese international students said they unwittingly gave Kim $15,000 combined for multiple months of rent. Kim was allegedly posing as the owner of a couple of downtown condos.

The students said Kim separately promised them move-in dates just days apart for the same condo. Neither has received the keys and or their money back.

The owner of one of the condos said he had sublet his condo to Kim last month and had no idea several students may have been staying there. According to neighbours, several Asian students were staying in the unit at the same time.

On Thursday, a Korean student came forward claiming she also fell victim to the same man.

Hyun Chung Lim said Kim also showed her a unit, on Bay Street near College, and she paid him $2,600.

“I’m getting a lot of calls from Koreans who have been defrauded,” said Lim. “I don’t understand why they’re not arresting him. I gave them his plate number and his phone number — his phone numbers because he’s using many numbers. But I don’t understand why police aren’t doing anything.”

Several reports have been made to the fraud department at 52 Division of the Toronto Police Service.

Kim, reportedly from South Korea, has 13 outstanding fraud-related arrest warrants in B.C. The RCMP is now looking at extending its province-wide warrant to the whole country.

As well, the Japanese consulate in Toronto has put out a warning to nationals about Kim, who also goes by the name Jeil Hon.

CityNews tracked down Kim on Thursday after a tip, but he refused to comment and drove away.

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