Markham man accused of defrauding female victims of over $1M in online romance scam

Toronto police say a Markham man has been charged in an alleged romance scam that saw several victims defrauded of over $1 million.

Investigators with the financial crimes unit were told by three female victims that between September 2016 and February 2017, each had separately made contact with the suspect through a number of online dating sites,  including match.com, ourtime.com, and chemistry.com

Randolph Aquino, 46, is alleged to have convinced his victims he needed the funds to alleviate an emergency due to an “unforeseen circumstance in a foreign country.”

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In at least one of the cases, police say Acquino claimed he was a past war hero and a professional in the financial services industry — credentials he used in convincing his victim to wire funds to a business account using the name TRESA GROUP LTD., which he controlled.

After receiving the money, authorities say he laundered the funds and likely fled to the Philippines.

Aquino is wanted for possession of the proceeds of crime over $5,000 and laundering the proceeds of crime.

Investigators are asking anyone with information to police at 416-808-7300 or Crime Stoppers.