Ontario pair charged in alleged online passport renewal scam
York Regional Police allege the websites used misleading ads to suggest customers could get passport services directly from the federal government.
- On Wednesday, July 22, 2026, York Regional Police charged two Ontario residents, John Jesse Breslin and Phoebe Hui Ting Wong, with operating deceptive passport websites on behalf of the Competition Bureau.
- Operating under the names Passport Online and Passport Express between 2016 and 2020, the pair allegedly misled Canadians into believing they were dealing directly with federal government passport services.
- Criminal charges include fraud over $5,000 and possession of proceeds of crime, in addition to deceptive marketing allegations under the Competition Act.
- Filed at the Ontario Court of Justice, the charges remain unproven, as Interim Commissioner of Competition Jeanne Pratt said the Bureau is stopping those taking Canadians' "hard-earned money."
- The Bureau urges anyone suspecting deceptive marketing or anti-competitive behaviour to file a complaint through its online form, given the significant financial impact of such scams on Canadians.
19 Articles
19 Articles
Winnipeg Free Press
Ontario residents charged over alleged fraudulent passport renewal promises
TORONTO - Two Ontario residents face charges after a Competition Bureau probe found they allegedly misled Canadians into thinking they were dealing directly with the federal government's passport service.
A website is suspected of deceiving Canadians into believing they are receiving expedited passport services directly from the Canadian government. (Sean Kilpatrick/Canada)
Ontario residents charged over alleged fraudulent passport renewal promises – 105.9 The Region
TORONTO — Two Ontario residents face charges after a Competition Bureau probe found they allegedly misled Canadians into thinking they were dealing directly with the federal government’s passport service. York Regional Police charged John Jesse Breslin and Phoebe Hui Ting Wong last week with fraud over $5,000 and possessing proceeds of a crime. A release from the Competition Bureau says the two operated a business under the names Passport Online…
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 50% of the sources are Center
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
