Brampton man charged in romance and painted money fraud investigation

York Regional Police have laid charges against a 41-year-old man in a "classic romance scam" that left a Vaughan woman defrauded of $30,000.

Police began investigating in April after the 51-year-old woman reported being defrauded by a person she'd met on the Internet..

"The victim advised investigatorsthat after meeting a person online and falling victim to a classic romance scam, the fraudster agreed to pay back some of the victim's money that was allegedly borrowed," police said Tuesday in a news release.

But to get the moneyback, police said, she was told she'dhave to meet one of the man's associates, who claimed to be a diplomat from the United Kingdom.

The twomet at Pearson International Airport, where the supposed diplomat allegedly told the woman he would need extra money to free up her funds,which he claimedwere being held up by customs officials.

The woman paid up, police say, and arrangements were made to meet in a hotel where he showed her a case full of "painted money."The man allegedly told her the cash had to be painted blackto smuggle it safelyinto the country. Tohave it cleaned, she'd once again have to pay. She did, police say.

They arranged to meet another day to swap cash for cleaning solution, but the woman never saw the man again.

Police say a Brampton man faces charges of fraud over $5,000, possession of propertyobtained by crime and breach of probation. He is scheduled to appear in a Newmarket court on September 29.

"There are many types of scams with a variety of tricks and tactics by the suspects," police said in the release, "but the goal is the same, suspects are looking to take as much money as they can from their victims."

Investigators believe there may be other victims and are asking anyone with information to come forward.