Durham police are seeking a Toronto man in an Oshawa counterfeit currency investigation involving a cellphone purchase at a north-end business.
Police say a man attended Cell Xpress at 1000 Simcoe Street North at about 5:30 p.m. on July 13, 2026. He allegedly bought a cellphone with one thousand dollars in cash before staff identified the bills as counterfeit and contacted police.
Three charges listed by police
Durham Regional Police Service identified 23-year-old Shahfaisal Arab Qureshi of Toronto as wanted in connection with the investigation. Police list one count each of fraud under 5,000 dollars, uttering counterfeit currency and possession of property obtained by crime under 5,000 dollars.
The accusations have not been proven in court. Police have not announced an arrest, and the public should not treat a wanted notice as a finding of guilt.
Investigators released the appeal on September 25, more than two months after the transaction they are investigating. The police notice does not explain the gap between the alleged purchase and the public request for information.
Investigators ask for footage and information
Police are asking anyone with cellphone, dash-camera or surveillance footage, or other information about the incident, to contact the Financial Crimes Unit. Anonymous information can be provided through Durham Regional Crime Stoppers.
The Oshawa counterfeit currency case is distinct from earlier counterfeit-money investigations reported elsewhere in Durham Region this year. This notice concerns the July 13 transaction at the Simcoe Street North cellphone store and the individual named in the September 25 police release.
