Additional charges laid against man involved in firewood fraud
Posted Sep 22, 2022 02:30:00 PM.
The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) has laid additional charges against a 47-year-old man from eastern Ontario accused of taking money for firewood and never delivering.
Detachments of the OPP within the Renfrew Country began sending warnings to the public of fraud incidents they were investigating back in July of this year.
Incidents involved ads posted on social media platforms stating firewood for sale where the suspect requested a deposit by e-transfer. Once this deposit was made, the firewood was not delivered, and the buyer was unable to contact the seller.
Cory Baptiste has already been been charged with:
- Fraud under $5,000 (11 counts)
- Obtaining by false pretense (11 counts)
More complaints against the suspect have come in, and Baptiste, from North Algona Wilberforce, has also been charged with:
- Fraud under $5,000 (six counts)
- Obtaining by false pretence (five counts)
- Theft of mail
The accused remains in custody. The Renfrew County Crime Unit is continuing to investigate these incidents as additional victims have come forward to police.
