In a statement issued Tuesday, the Toronto Police Service (TPS) said the woman hired a contractor to make renovations to her residence near Yonge Street and Sheppard Avenue West in Toronto.
Investigators allege the contractor defrauded the victim of more than $1,000,000.
From Feb. 2011 to Oct. 2022, police identified 14 additional victims in the greater Toronto area.
All had been defrauded in the same way, according to investigators, out of a total of $400,000. Five of those victims were also elderly, they said.
On November 14, Antonio Sinopoli, 54, Wayne McNeil, 45, and Francesco Sinopoli, 27, – all Toronto residents – were arrested.
Antonio is charged with two counts of fraud over $5,000, one count of possession of proceeds of crime and one count of money laundering.
McNeil is charged with two counts of fraud over $5,000, while Francesco is charged with one count of fraud over $5,000.
Investigators say the three men operated a number of company names, including In Times for Finishing Touches, Scala Exteriors, AFS Contracting and Design and Upper Level Renovations.
Recent HomeStar.com reviews of ‘In Times for Finishing Touches’ detail a number of unfinished projects.
“Took a deposit and never finished the job,” one user wrote. “He often never showed up for work. I will try to sell you or ask for more money up front. Once you’re wise to his antics, he shows up less and less.”
“Upstairs (master) bathroom was destroyed at the end of February but still unusable in September – doesn’t work in any way…and we are seniors so this is very difficult for us,” wrote another.
The three men are scheduled to appear in court on Dec. 16 at 1000 Finch Ave. W., in room 301, at 2:30 p.m.
Anyone with information is asked by police to call 416-808-7318 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-8477 (TIPS) or visit www.222tips.com.
