Four people arrested after police investigate $1.9 million cheque fraud scheme

The Durham Regional Police East Division building is shown in Bowmanville, Ont. on Saturday March 15, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Doug Ives

Three men and one woman are facing numerous charges in connection with a cheque fraud scheme totalling $1.9 million in Uxbridge.

Police say that on March 16, the female suspect cashed a fraudulent cheque valued at more than $1.9 million at a bank.

Between March 16 and March 20, all four suspects allegedly conducted a series of bank transfers, withdrawals, e-transfers, wire payments and bank drafts in an effort to launder and obtain the funds from the fraudulent cheque that had previously been cashed.

Police say the suspects obtained a total of $890,000 before the funds were frozen.

Following an investigation by Durham Regional Police’s Financial Crimes Unit, the four suspects were arrested and charged with multiple offences.

Helia Bayegan 50, of Richmond Hill, is charged with fraud over $5,000, uttering a forged document, laundering the proceeds of crime, and possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000.

Arvin Singh Dhaliwal, 28, of Wasaga Beach, is charged with laundering the proceeds of crime and possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000.

Peyman Pornour, 45, of North York, is charged with laundering the proceeds of crime and possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000.

Yiang Leng, 30, of Toronto, is charged with possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000.

All four suspects were released from custody pending their first court appearance.