Toronto police say woman was targeted in elaborate fraud where suspects allegedly impersonated detective, judge

Toronto police allege a woman was targeted in an elaborate fraud scheme where suspects impersonated a detective and a judge to defraud her of over $200,000. The investigation began on Monday, October 5, 2026, after a woman living in the Lakeshore Boulevard West and Royal York Road area contacted police. The scam started when the victim hired contractors to work on her home.

She was misled about the extent of repairs, resulting in higher costs and significant financial loss. Later, a man claiming to be a Toronto police detective named Philip Spring contacted her and claimed the contractors were under investigation for fraud. Another man posing as Judge Stephen Firestone told her she needed to pay a large sum of money for the investigation and court proceedings.

The victim complied and delivered multiple bank drafts totaling over $200,000. The police confirmed that Philip Spring is not a real detective, and there is no judge named Stephen Firestone. The contractors are described as two white males, one between 40 and 45 years old, and the other aged 27, both with British, Irish, or Scottish accents.

They were last seen wearing plaid shirts, jeans, and driving two pickup trucks - a black and a rusty blue one. The man impersonating the detective is in his mid-30s, around 5'8" to 5'9" with a medium build, short dark reddish/brown hair, and a red/brown beard. The judge impersonator also spoke with a heavy British, Irish, or Scottish accent. If anyone has information about the suspects, they are urged to contact Toronto police.