Three arrested in Winnipeg knifepoint robbery scheme using fake dating profile
Winnipeg police have arrested three people linked to a dating app scam that lured victims into knifepoint robberies. More victims may exist, police say.
Fake online date used to lure Winnipeg victims into armed robberies
Three people have been arrested in Winnipeg after a coordinated scheme used a fraudulent online dating profile to lure victims into knifepoint robberies, Global News Crime reports.
The suspects created a profile posing as a 44-year-old woman to arrange in-person meetings at specific addresses. When victims arrived, they were confronted by men and robbed at knifepoint. Several victims came forward to the Winnipeg Police Service (WPS) beginning in February, according to a police news release issued Tuesday.
Stolen wallets and car keys were then used to make fraudulent purchases and withdraw cash at businesses and ATMs across the city. Victims were held until the transactions were completed before being released.
Reena Lee Ducherer, 44, and Kelly William James Johnston, 51, were arrested on Aug. 7 following an investigation by the WPS major crimes unit. Ducherer faces dozens of charges, including seven counts each of robbery, forcible confinement and uttering threats, as well as kidnapping, six counts of credit card offences and 13 counts of failure to comply with a release order. Johnston faces eight counts each of robbery, forcible confinement and using a disguise with intent, along with seven counts of uttering threats and one count of kidnapping.
A third suspect, a 61-year-old man whose identity has not been publicly released, was arrested on Aug. 8. He faces two counts of robbery, eight counts of forcible confinement, eight counts of using a disguise with intent and seven counts of uttering threats. He was released on an undertaking and is expected to appear in court at a later date.
Winnipeg police believe additional victims may exist and are urging anyone affected to contact the major crimes unit.
Source: Global News Crime