Canadian authorities are looking for two Indian-origin men accused of defrauding people of more than ₹26 lakh (around CAD 30,000) through a fake apartment rental scheme in Ontario. According to investigators, the suspects would advertise rental properties on social media, show prospective tenants around an apartment, and then collect advance payments after getting them to sign rental agreements online — only for the victims to later discover the apartment was never actually available.
How the Scam Unfolded
The alleged fraud took place in Mississauga, Ontario, between January and February 2025. Police say the suspects posted attractive rental listings on social media and invited interested tenants to come view the properties in person. During these viewings, they allegedly posed as either the current tenants or authorised representatives, which helped convince victims that the rental offer was completely legitimate.
Once trust was established, the suspects would ask victims to complete rental agreements online and transfer advance deposits electronically to secure the apartment. Most victims paid digitally — and once the money went through, that was pretty much it. They never got possession of the apartment, and they never got their money back either. Police have identified at least eight victims so far, with combined losses exceeding ₹26 lakh, and they expect more victims may come forward as the investigation continues.
A Rented Apartment Used Just for Show
One particularly clever (and troubling) detail investigators uncovered: the apartment used for all these viewings had actually been rented by the suspects themselves through an online short-term rental platform. In other words, it was never really available for lease at all — it was simply a prop, used solely to make the fraudulent scheme look real. Authorities have been clear that the apartment's actual owners are not suspects and have no known connection to the fraud.
The Suspects and Charges
Canadian authorities have issued arrest warrants for 23-year-old Jashanpreet Sidhu of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, and 24-year-old Priyanshu Goel of Surrey, British Columbia. Sidhu faces charges of fraud over CAD 5,000 (roughly ₹4.3 lakh) along with possession of property obtained through crime, while Goel is facing a charge of fraud over CAD 5,000. Both men remain at large.
What Renters Should Watch Out For
Police are urging anyone searching for rental accommodation online to independently verify the identity of property owners or their authorised agents before making any advance payment. Their advice is fairly simple but important: don't sign a rental agreement or transfer a deposit based purely on online communication, without doing proper due diligence first.
Investigators note that rental fraud involving social media ads and digital payments is a growing risk for prospective tenants, and they're appealing to anyone with information about the suspects — or anyone who may have fallen victim to a similar scheme — to come forward and contact investigators. The case remains under active investigation.
FAQs
Q1. How much money did victims lose in this apartment rental fraud?
Police have identified at least eight victims with combined losses exceeding ₹26 lakh (around CAD 30,000), and more victims are expected to come forward.
Q2. How did the suspects make the fake rental scheme look legitimate?
The suspects rented an apartment themselves through a short-term rental platform and used it solely for property viewings, posing as tenants or authorised agents to convince victims.
Q3. Who are the suspects wanted by Canadian police?
Canadian authorities have issued arrest warrants for Jashanpreet Sidhu, 23, of Saskatoon, and Priyanshu Goel, 24, of Surrey, both facing fraud-related charges. Both remain at large.