Grenville OPP charge Luskville business owner with 22 fraud-related offences

A business owner from Luskville, Quebec is facing 22 fraud-related charges following an investigation that included 11 victims and approximately $1-million in total losses.

The Grenville County Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) received information in October 2022 alleging that a business had not completed agreed-upon contractual work for multiple victims’ residences in eastern Ontario.

Following an investigation, the owner/operator of Timberlock General Contracting, Kevin Proulx, 46, faces the following charges:

• False pretense over $5,000 (three counts)
• Fraud over $5,000 (eight counts)
• Theft over $5,000 (eleven counts)

The accused has been released from custody with a future court date.

This OPP investigation was assisted by the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (FINTRAC), MRC des Collines-de-l’Outaouais, the Forensic Accounting Management Group (FAMG) and the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA).

Grenville OPP has also issued a reminder about what your rights are when starting home renovations or repairs:

• Get written estimates from at least three contractors
• Never pay the full amount of the contract before the work is done, as this will protect you from losing money if the company goes out of business or declares bankruptcy before finishing the project
• Check the contractor and business in the Consumer Beware List to see if there are any complaints or charges against the contractor in recent postings of charges and convictions under the Consumer Protection Act or with the Better Business Bureau, Chambers of Commerce and your city for any information they may have on the contractor
• Never accept an estimate over the phone or without the contractor inspecting the area

Anyone who suspects they have been the victim of cybercrime or fraud should report it to their local police and to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre’s online reporting system or by phone at 1-888-495-8501.