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The Windsor Police Service has charged a 41-year-old contractor for allegedly defrauding multiple local homeowners out of nearly $600,000.
Following an investigation by the department’s financial crimes unit, Robert James Jones has been charged with defrauding 10 individuals out of a total of $593,247 between March 2021 and June 2023.
Jones allegedly solicited deposits ranging from $20,000 to $115,000 from homeowners under the guise of completing various construction projects.
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In one reported instance, Jones accepted a $20,000 deposit, initiated excavation work on the property, and then requested an additional $75,000 to continue the project. After receiving the additional funds, he failed to return to complete the work.
An arrest warrant was issued for Jones in June. Officers located and arrested Jones at a business in the 300 block of Riverside Drive East.
He has been charged with 10 counts of fraud over $5,000.
Anyone with information can contact the Windsor police financial crimes unit at 519-255-6700, ext. 4330. You can also contact Windsor & Essex County Crime Stoppers at 519-258-8477 (TIPS) or online at catchcrooks.com.
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On its website, the Windsor Police Service lists the types of scams that are common and offers tips to the public on how to help avoid becoming a victim.
“The main means of communication that fraudsters use to target the public are: websites, emails, telemarketing and regular mail,” police warn. “Fraudsters take advantage of modern communication tools to avoid any ‘face to face’ contact with victims.
“Fraudsters use fictitious names, addresses and identities to avoid apprehension by law enforcement. Often fraudsters register phone numbers, websites and email accounts with fictitious information. Victims are asked to send money using money transfer services to another jurisdiction or country.”
If you have had a recent experience with an attempted fraud scam and you would like to provide information about the scam to the Windsor police, email fraud@windsorpolice.ca.
— With files from Doug Schmidt
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