Two Men Arrested in an Account Takeover and Phishing Investigation, City of Toronto
Broadcast time: 04:08 PM
Date: Monday, Mar 09, 2026
Unit: Financial Crimes
Case #: 2025-2676618
The Toronto Police Service is making the public aware of arrests made in an Account Takeover and Phishing investigation dubbed ‘Project Neptune.’
It is alleged that:
between May 2025 and December 2025, victims were contacted by suspects identifying themselves as employees of the Toronto Police Service and financial institutions
victims were deceived into believing their bank accounts had been compromised and were part of an ongoing police investigation
victims were instructed to provide their physical debit cards to a courier who would be sent to their residence
the courier would then deliver the debit cards to the suspects
the suspects then used the debit cards to withdraw large sums of Canadian currency and make purchases
Through investigation, officers from the Financial Crimes Unit were able to identify and connect an additional 25 occurrences to the accused.
On Wednesday, February 25, 2026, officers from the Major Fraud Section, 32 Division Fraud Office, Major Crime Unit, and the Emergency Task Force executed two search warrants at addresses associated to the accused.
During the search warrants, officers seized cellphones, laptops, clothing allegedly worn during the offences, and gift cards allegedly purchased with fraudulent funds.
Chidike Watts, 20, of Toronto, was arrested and charged with:
Fraud Under $5000
three counts Fraud Over $5000
Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Under $5000
three counts Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Over $5000
five counts Personation with Intent
Possession of Proceeds Obtained by Crime Under $5000
three counts Possession of Proceeds Obtained by Crime Over $5000
five counts Possess/Use Credit Card Obtained by Offence
Attempt Fraud
He was scheduled to appear in court at the Toronto Regional Bail Centre, 2201 Finch Avenue West, on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, at 9:30, in room 105.
Ehinosen Caleb Ehikhuemen, 19, of Toronto, was arrested and charged with:
Fraud Under $5000
four counts Fraud Over $5000
Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Under $5000
four counts Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Over $5000
six counts Personation with Intent
Possession of Proceeds Obtained by Crime Under $5000
four counts Possession of Proceeds Obtained by Crime Over $5000
six counts Possess/Use Credit Card Obtained by Offence
Attempt Fraud
He was scheduled to appear in court at the Toronto Regional Bail Centre, 2201 Finch Avenue West, on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, at 9:30, in room 105.
The Toronto Police Service – Financial Crimes Unit wants to remind the public to take the following precautions:
police and financial institutions will never send a courier to collect your debit or credit cards
never provide your PIN or online banking credentials to anyone
do not hand over your debit or credit cards to anyone claiming to be from your bank or police
if someone contacts you claiming your account is compromised, hang up and contact your bank directly using the phone number on the back of your card
take time to verify the situation before taking action, especially if the caller is creating urgency, fear, or pressure
if anyone asks you to hand over your bank card or move money as part of a “police investigation,” it is a scam. Police do not conduct investigations this way
Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 416-808-7300, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477), or at www.222tips.com.
Corporate Communications for Financial Crimes
