York Regional Police have laid six fraud charges against a 40-year-old Toronto man accused of orchestrating a multi-million dollar investment scam that investigators believe may have additional victims.
Details of the Investment Fraud Case
Sergiy Shchavyelyev, 40, of Toronto was charged on December 9, 2025, with six counts of fraud over $5,000. The investigation began in March 2025 after a victim came forward alleging they had invested funds through Shchavyelyev in February 2024. The suspect owned Equity Line Service Corporation.
Police stated that the victim was promised a return on their investment. By February 2025, investigators had identified five additional victims who had also invested funds with the same suspect. Authorities allege that Shchavyelyev misappropriated the funds for personal gain after more than $2.5 million was invested.
A photo of the suspect has been released by police, as investigators believe there may be more victims and are encouraging them to come forward. Anyone with information is asked to contact the York Regional Police Financial Crimes Unit at 1-866-876-5423, extension 6612, or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
Brampton Drug Bust Leads to Multiple Charges
In a separate incident, the Caledon detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police has charged three Brampton men following a drug trafficking investigation. Officers executed a search warrant at a residence and seized approximately 480 grams of opium, two firearms, ammunition, and a replica handgun firearm.
The individuals charged are:
- Kushdeep Kaur, 25, charged with two counts of careless storage of a firearm, weapon, prohibited device, or ammunition.
- Balpreet Kaur, 26, charged with possession of a Schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking.
- Arun Kumar, 20, charged with possession of a Schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking.
Additional Firearm Possession Charges in Oshawa
In a related development, Durham Regional Police have charged four males, including two youths aged 16 and 17, with firearm possession in Oshawa. The incident occurred on Sunday around 2:40 a.m. in the area of Saguenay Avenue and Rideau Street, after reports of a male brandishing a firearm among a group of people.
Officers arrived to find several individuals filming a music video in two vehicles. Upon ordering everyone to exit, police located two firearms with loaded magazines. The charged individuals are:
- Dylon Tajay Barclay, 19, from Whitby
- Juan Pablo Alejandro Villatoro, 20, from Clarington
- A 17-year-old boy from Pickering
- A 16-year-old boy from Oshawa
All face charges of possession of a firearm without a licence, possession of a loaded firearm, and occupying a motor vehicle with a firearm. Police noted that the Oshawa youth was already on conditions not to possess any weapons due to a similar offence earlier this year and was additionally charged with failing to comply with an undertaking.
Authorities are seeking any cellphone, dash cam, surveillance footage, or information related to this incident. Tips can be directed to Detective Lemanis of the Central East Division Criminal Investigations Branch at 1-888-579-1520, extension 2738.
