By Adam Brazeau
CORNWALL, Ontario – In a case of stolen identity, two Cornwall 20-somethings racked up charges after attempts to fraud local banks and businesses were thwarted by cops.
According to police, a 22-year-old male and a 21-year-old female opened several accounts and applied for credit cards throughout the city, under a fake identity.
Const. Dan Cloutier said that the victims are aware of the incident.
“Not all frauds are randomly picked,” he said.
Cloutier noted that most thieves or fraudsters are “opportunists.”
In July, police received complaints of possible frauds. An investigation led to a warrant for a Wellington St. residence, where evidence was collected.
Cloutier confirmed that ongoing credit card applications landed the duo established credit, which was used to purchase products from several local businesses.
On Sept. 3, the accused attended police headquarters and were taken into custody and charged accordingly. Jesse Dufresne faces multiple charges, with an additional charge of breach of probation. He was held for a bail hearing. Jessica Albers was later released and is scheduled for a future court date.
Dufresne and Albers, both of Cornwall, are facing two counts of fraud under $5,000, personation, identity theft, two counts of attempted fraud and three counts of possession of property obtained by crime.