Charges laid in deceptive Canadian passport website scam

A scam involving a fake Canadian passport website has led to charges against two York Region residents. John Jesse Breslin and Phoebe Hui Ting Wong are accused of running a deceptive operation that preyed on Canadians seeking expedited passport services.

Investigators with the federal Competition Bureau allege that the pair operated under the names "Passport Online" and "Passport Express" between 2016 and 2020. Their websites allegedly used "misleading representations" to trick people into believing they were dealing directly with the Government of Canada.

Breslin, identified as the owner and main decision-maker, and Wong, a manager, face multiple charges. These include violations of the Competition Act for promoting a service with false or misleading claims, as well as charges for fraud over $5,000 and possession of proceeds of crime.

The investigation involved collaboration with Toronto police, the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, and the Better Business Bureau. The charges have yet to be tested in court.