Toronto man charged with 12 counts of fraud in alleged apartment rental scam

The exterior of 30 Gilder Drive in Scarborough. GOOGLE STREETVIEW / File

By Nick Westoll

Posted September 27, 2022 3:22 pm.

A man has been charged with a dozen counts of fraud after Toronto police alleged the suspect took deposit payments from victims and stopped returning their calls and messages.

In a statement released by Toronto police investigators Tuesday afternoon, it’s alleged the accused posted ads on Facebook Marketplace saying an apartment unit at 30 Gilder Dr. (northeast of Midland Avenue and Eglinton Avenue East) was for rent.

The statement said an unspecified number of people talked with the suspect and met him at the apartment unit. Officers said the accused told them he was the owner of the property.

RELATED: Calls for government action to crack down on moving scams grow amid Toronto bust

It’s alleged all the victims expressed an interest in renting the unit and gave financial deposits through e-transfer, money order or cash. However, before the move-in date, the suspect “made various excuses as to why the victims could not move in” before cutting off all communications.

Officers said 41-year-old Toronto resident Vijayaranjan Indralingam was arrested on Monday and charged with 12 counts of fraud under $5,000.

Investigators encouraged prospective tenants to rent through “legitimate agents that can be thoroughly checked,” confirm who the property owner is and that the unit is available for rent.

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