The Durham Regional Police Service is actively seeking the public’s assistance in identifying a female suspect involved in a sophisticated counterfeit currency fraud operation that spans two Durham Region municipalities. The incident occurred on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, beginning at a retail location in Ajax before concluding at a secondary store in Pickering. Investigators from the Financial Crimes Unit have determined that the transaction involved the purchase of goods using fraudulent bills, followed by a return transaction designed to exchange those items for legitimate funds.
According to police reports, the initial transaction took place at approximately 2:00 p.m. at the HomeSense located at 125 Harwood Avenue North in Ajax. During this encounter, the suspect entered the establishment and selected merchandise for purchase. The transaction was completed using counterfeit currency, which was accepted at the point of sale. This initial purchase provided the suspect with the necessary receipts and merchandise to facilitate the second phase of the fraudulent scheme, exploiting standard return policies to convert fake money into cash.
A short time after the initial purchase in Ajax, the female suspect attended the HomeSense located at 1355 Kingston Road in Pickering. At this second location, she returned the items that had been fraudulently acquired earlier that afternoon. By processing the return, the suspect successfully received legitimate Canadian currency, effectively converting the counterfeit bills into cash. This movement between the two communities suggests a premeditated effort to obscure the paper trail associated with the fake tender and avoid immediate detection at the initial point of sale.
Investigators have released a detailed physical description of the individual believed to be responsible for these offences. The suspect is described as female, standing approximately five feet two inches tall, with black hair. At the time of the incidents, she was wearing all-black clothing. Authorities have made photographs of the suspect available to the public in the hopes that someone will recognize her features or attire. These images serve as a critical tool for law enforcement as they work to establish the identity of the person involved in this cross-border municipal crime.
The Durham Regional Police Service Financial Crimes Unit is leading the active investigation into these fraudulent acts. As part of their inquiry, anyone who may have been in the vicinity of either retail location on the afternoon of April 28, 2026, or who may have noticed suspicious activity is encouraged to come forward. Police are specifically seeking cellphone video, dashcam footage, or private surveillance recordings that may capture the suspect’s movements before, during, or after the alleged crimes.
Counterfeit fraud not only impacts the bottom line of local businesses but can also lead to increased costs for consumers. Police remind retailers to verify large bills and be vigilant of rushed transactions or unusual return patterns. In this case, the speed of the return process across city lines is a key factor investigators are examining to prevent future occurrences.
Individuals with information regarding this incident or the identity of the suspect are asked to contact Detective Constable Kane of the Financial Crimes Unit directly. Calls can be made to the Durham Regional Police Service non-emergency line at 1-888-579-1520, extension 5371. For those who wish to remain anonymous, information can be submitted to Durham Regional Crime Stoppers. Tips can be provided by calling 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or by visiting the official Durham Regional Crime Stoppers website. Tipsters providing information that leads to an arrest may be eligible for a cash reward.
This investigation remains active as police continue to analyze evidence and follow up on leads from the community. Authorities hope that the release of the suspect’s image and details of the cross-town operation will generate the necessary tips to resolve the case swiftly. The Durham Regional Police Service remains committed to protecting local businesses from financial loss and maintaining the integrity of the region’s commercial sectors.
