Two York Region residents who allegedly ran a “deceptive” passport website claiming to be affiliated with the Canadian government are facing charges. Investigators with Competition Bureau Canada said the business, which operated under the names “Passport Online” and “Passport Express,” used “misleading representations” to suggest that customers could quickly and easily obtain or renew a Canadian passport online between 2016 and 2020. The website allegedly deceived Canadians into believing that they were dealing directly with the Government of Canada for expedited passport services, neither of which were true, according to the bureau. On July 22, York Regional Police charged John Jesse Breslin and Phoebe Hui Ting Wong in connection with the investigation. Investigators said that Breslin was the owner and main decision-maker of the company. Wong was a manager. Both were charged under the Competition Act for promoting a service using false or misleading representations. They’re also charged with fraud over $5,000 and possession of proceeds of crime. “Deceiving consumers has significant impacts, with Canadians continuing to lose money to scams and other deceptive practices,” Jeanne Pratt, interim Commissioner of Competition, said in a news release. “The Competition Bureau is taking action to stop those who use misleading tactics to take Canadians’ hard-earned money.” The Competition Bureau Canada said that investigation was carried out with assistance from Toronto police, as well as information obtained from the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre and the Better Business Bureau. The charges have not been tested in court.
