2 Mississauga residents charged with multiple ‘fake lottery’ scams, police say

Peel Regional Police cruiser is shown in this file photo. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Cole Burston

Peel police have arrested two people and issued a warrant for a third in connection with a series of scams in which elderly people were duped into believing they had won the lottery and then asked for money to cover fees associated with the trumped up jackpots.

Police say that the scams targeted elderly people across Canada between 2019 and 2023.

Investigators say victims were “tricked into believing that they had won a lottery sweepstakes.”

Police say that they were promised millions but first were asked to “send funds to cover the fees to collect their winnings.”

Arja Donaldson, a 50-year-old female resident from Mississauga, is facing multiple charges, including possession of property obtained by crime and fraud over $5,000.

Police say Donaldson is responsible for misleading one victim from Thunder Bay into sending over $45,000.

The second suspect, 37-year-old Latya Hayden, is charged with fraud over $5,000. Police say she misled one victim from Grand Prairie into sending $10,000.

Police are still searching for a third suspect, 31-year-old Andrew Baker from Mississauga, who they say misled a victim into sending over $2,000.

Police continue to investigate the matter and are asking anyone with information to come forward.