JSOT criminally charges Neil Andrew McDonald with fraud and other criminal offences

CALGARY, July 20, 2018 /CNW/ - The Alberta Securities Commission (ASC) and the Alberta RCMP announced today that Neil Andrew McDonald of Calgary, Alberta has been charged with offences under the Criminal Code, following an investigation by the Joint Serious Offences Team (JSOT).

McDonald has been criminally charged with one count of fraud contrary to section 380(1)(a), one count of identity fraud contrary to section 403(1), one count of use falsified credit card contrary to section 342(1) and one count of failing to comply with recognizance contrary to section 145(3). It is alleged that McDonald stole the identity of one individual and fraudulently obtained approximately $25,000 of credit between August 25, 2016 and March 24, 2017. He also allegedly fraudulently opened a bank account using the same stolen identity. McDonald is believed to be currently using the alias Neil Andrews.

McDonald is scheduled to appear for a bail hearing on July 23, 2018 at 9:30 a.m. in Courtroom 506, Calgary Courts Centre, 601 - 5 Street SW, Calgary, Alberta.  

In February 2017, McDonald was charged with seven counts of fraud over $5,000 contrary to section 380(1)(a), one count of fraud under $5,000 contrary to section 380(1)(b) and one count of money laundering contrary to section 462.31(2).  The most recent charges occurred while McDonald was on release conditions bound by a recognizance stemming from the February 2017 charges. Those release conditions included conditions prohibiting him from possessing credit cards, except in his own name.

This is the third arrest resulting from JSOT investigations in Alberta, and JSOT would like to thank the RCMP Alberta Federal Serious & Organized Crime branch for their assistance in this matter.

JSOT is an enforcement partnership between the ASC, the RCMP Federal Policing's Financial Integrity Program and Alberta Crown Prosecution Service. JSOT investigates and prosecutes quasi-criminal cases under the Securities Act and certain securities-related criminal offences under the Criminal Code. In particular, JSOT targets repeat offenders, serious frauds and breaches of ASC or court orders and bans. The primary objective is to protect investors and further enhance confidence in the Alberta capital market through collaborative investigations and prosecutions of serious violations of the law using the provisions of the Securities Act (Alberta) or the Criminal Code.

The ASC is the regulatory agency responsible for administering the province's securities laws. It is entrusted with fostering a fair and efficient capital market in Alberta and with protecting investors. As a member of the Canadian Securities Administrators, the ASC works to improve, coordinate and harmonize the regulation of Canada's capital markets.

The RCMP Federal Policing's Financial Integrity Program contributes to the security of the Canadian economy and seeks to protect Canadians and their governments from financial crimes perpetrated by organized crime and others. The Financial Integrity Program is delivered in partnership with international and domestic government agencies, domestic stakeholders and the community at large.

SOURCE Alberta Securities Commission