TORONTO, April 23, 2026 – Toronto police said on April 22 that a man accused of posing as a construction contractor and defrauding two seniors under the names of “roof repair,” “mandatory backyard cleanup,” and “urgent home repair” has been arrested. Police also warned that related home repair scams may involve more victims, and residents should be especially cautious of unsolicited door-to-door pitches that demand immediate work and payment.
According to information released by police, the incidents took place in July 2024. Two seniors were approached at their homes by several men who claimed to be legitimate contractors or City of Toronto workers. They then demanded payment for roof repair, mandatory backyard cleanup, and urgent home repair work. Police said the work was either never completed or was not necessary in the first place.
Police said 23-year-old Arashdeep Singh of Brampton was arrested on April 21 and charged with three counts of fraud over CAD $5,000, three counts of possession of property obtained by crime over CAD $5,000, conspiracy to commit an indictable offence, two counts of laundering the proceeds of crime in Canada, and possession of property obtained by crime under CAD $5,000. Police said the suspects used business names including Xcellent Custom Homes Ltd., Friendly Masonry Ltd., and 17051450 Canada Inc. to carry out the alleged fraud.
The arrest came after police had earlier issued a public warning about roof repair scams. On April 14, Toronto police said suspects were going door to door at residential properties, claiming there were problems with roofs, chimneys, or exterior walls. They would first get homeowners to agree to an initial repair, then repeatedly claim that new urgent problems had been discovered, sharply increase the cost, and pressure victims into making multiple payments. Police believe some of the work may have been unnecessary or of poor quality.
Police also said that in some cases, after homeowners refused to continue paying, someone else would return and claim to be an Interpol investigator, show what appeared to be official identification, and say the contracting company was under investigation. Victims were allegedly told not to tell anyone about the matter and were even told they were being watched. Police stressed that no legitimate law enforcement agency, including Interpol, will go door to door asking residents for money or demand payment under the pretext of “assisting an investigation.”
For many Chinese families in the Greater Toronto Area, the risk of this scam is not limited to “roof repair” itself, but also lies in the way it exploits language barriers, anxiety about home safety, and the vulnerability of seniors who are alone at home. A common situation is that a stranger suddenly knocks on the door and claims there is a serious problem with the roof, chimney, or exterior wall, saying that if it is not fixed that same day, it could lead to leaks, damage, or much higher repair costs later. The person may be wearing work clothes, hand over a business card or quote, and pressure the homeowner to immediately pay a deposit or approve the work.
This kind of high-pressure sales tactic is especially dangerous for seniors living alone, residents who are not comfortable communicating in English, and newcomer families unfamiliar with local contractor rules. Police advise residents to be cautious of any contractor who shows up without an appointment and insists that repairs “must be done right away.” Residents should not allow the person to begin work on the spot and should not make immediate payment. They should verify the company and the individual through independent channels and obtain quotes from multiple legitimate contractors.
Ontario consumer protection information also reminds residents that when signing contracts related to door-to-door sales and home services, they should understand their rights and keep a written copy of the contract. The province says some door-to-door sales and home service contracts may involve a cooling-off period or cancellation rights, and consumers can contact Ontario consumer protection channels to find out what applies in their situation.
It is important to note that the April 21 arrest does not mean similar scams have ended. Police have publicly stated that investigators believe there may still be more victims. For families, the most important line of defence is to set a clear rule in advance: if anyone shows up without an appointment and says the roof, chimney, exterior wall, or backyard “must be repaired immediately,” the response should always be to refuse first, verify first, and contact family members or a trusted contractor first.
If residents suspect that they or an elderly family member have already been scammed, they should report it to Toronto police as soon as possible. They may also file a complaint with the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre and Ontario consumer protection authorities. If there is a senior living alone in the family, relatives should remind them in advance: do not let unknown contractors into the home or onto the roof, do not sign anything on the spot, do not pay immediately by cash or e-transfer, and do not believe anyone claiming to be police, Interpol, or a government official who asks for money. (LJI Yuanyuan)
