Part time Ottawa bank employee accused in $320,000 fraud case

The Ottawa Police Fraud Unit got a call back in the fall about $1,000 being taken from some Bank of Montreal accounts over the summer months. 

According to police, a part-time bank employee had been collecting information and sending it out over social media to people across the country. 

Lead investigator, Sergeant Steven Desjourdy explained how the scam worked. 

“The results were that within hours, sometimes days, across the country, Edmonton or Toronto, people were going in with fake IDs with the information that had been provided and withdrawing money from their bank accounts.” 

Seven people lost over $320,000, another two customers nearly lost $360,000 but a quick thinking bank employee put a stop to it, said Desjourdy. 

“The fraudsters were in the bank, trying to make the transaction but a trained and skilled and experienced bank teller/supervisor came in and detected the fraud,” Desjourdy explained. 

Osman Wais, 24, was arrested in December and charged with:

– Fraud over $5,000 (9 counts)
– Conspiracy to commit fraud
– Possession of property from crime over $5,000
– Unauthorized use of a computer. 

He was dismissed from his job at the Bank of Montreal. 

Officials at BMO sent a statement to 1310 NEWS regarding this case: 

Protecting our clients is a top priority. We have notified the affected clients, reimbursed them for their losses and are taking enhanced security measures with their accounts. Additionally, we have reported this matter to the Ottawa Police and continue to work closely with them.