26/10/2010
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Tuesday, October 26, 2010
2:25 pm
(Ottawa)—Yesterday, the Ottawa Police Service Organized Fraud Section laid
several charges against an Ottawa man, following a year-long investigation into
airline ticket sales fraud.
Paul ILUNGA KASONGA, 56 years-old, of Ottawa, was charged with Unauthorized Use
of a Credit Card, Fraud over $5000, Laundering Proceeds of Crime and Possession
of Proceeds of Crime over $5000. He will appear in court today. A warrant is to
be issued for a second man wanted in connection to this investigation.
The investigation began in March 2009 when police received complaints that
passengers who had purchased airline tickets had been denied travel, and were
forced to purchase another ticket. The investigation revealed that airline
tickets had been purchased online on behalf of the customers, using fraudulent
credit card numbers.
This fraud scheme was perpetrated by word of mouth or Internet posting sites
which advertized cheap airfare. The majority of the travelers were from the
Canadian Congolese community.
In a similar investigation which culminated in November 2009, charges were laid
against 27 year-old Serge Mpanu Ebinda BOMBIA and 35 year-old Nico MINGA, both
of Ottawa. MINGA is currently wanted for failing to appear in court.
The Ottawa Police would like to remind travelers to ensure that they purchase
airline tickets through legitimate travel agencies, established sites or
airlines. Travelers should be able to identify who they purchased their tickets
from, how and who their payments were made to.
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CONTACT:
Ottawa Police Organized Fraud Section
Sergeant Richard Dugal
Telephone: 613-236-1222, ext.5409
Ottawa Police Service/Service de police d'Ottawa
www.ottawapolice.ca