Montreal Woman Sets Up Several Fake Bank Accounts In Toronto For CERB Money

One Canadian woman is now facing charges after attempting to gain some extra cash. According to Toronto Police Services, a Montreal woman's CERB fraud case led to her arrest after she travelled to Toronto in an attempt to open multiple bank accounts. The woman allegedly planned to fill those accounts with multiple CERB payments.

In a press release, Toronto Police report that the 40-year-old woman made her way to Toronto with the purpose of creating multiple fake CERB applications and bank accounts. 

During the investigation, police noted that they had obtained several "counterfeit identifications" from the suspect. 

The woman, who was later identified as Karina Riel, is now facing four criminal charges, Fraud Under $5000, Utter Forged Document, Possess of Identity Document, and Impersonation.

She is due to appear in court at College Park on Friday, June 12, 2020, at 10 a.m.

"The Toronto Police Service are reminding the public and financial institutions to be vigilant at all times, and to report all suspected fraudulent account openings to police," investigators concluded.

Anyone with further information about the investigation, which is ongoing, is being asked to contact officers at 416-808-5200 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-8477 (TIPS).

However, she isn't the first person who has tried to illegally gain some extra cash from the new program. 

Back in April, it was reported that two BC residents were arrested after they stole $33,000 worth of CERB cheques. 

The CERB is a financial support program being offered by the federal government to help out-of-work Canadian workers during the COVID-19 lockdown.

The Liberal government had previously outlined a list of punishments for people who fraudulently received the $2,000 a month benefit.

The list of charges included fines of up to $5,000 and the possibility of spending six months in prison. 

Unlike the alleged suspect, many Canadians have reported accidentally receiving CERB payments during the lockdown.

However, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced on June 9 that anyone who unknowingly received benefits they didn't qualify for would not be punished.