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A steady stream of suspects was paraded out of one Montreal building over several hours into three waiting yellow school buses parked outside.
Police said the suspects pretended to represent a federal agency and said there was a new law requiring first aid kits.
Diane L'Ecuyer, the assistant deputy commissioner for the Quebec branch of the Competition Bureau, said instead of paying USD 40, about 1,500 unsuspecting customers ended up paying around USD 400.
Those arrested face charges of fraud and could also be charged under the federal Competition Act, Royal Canadian Mounted Police Cpl Elaine Lavergne said.
"The organisation was targeting small- and medium-sized businesses, especially in Canada, but also in the United States and Europe," she said.
More than 160 police officers were involved in the raids.
L'Ecuyer said the investigation was undertaken by an international group known as COLT which was set up to counter telemarketing fraud.
She said it brings together several agencies including the Competition Bureau, the RCMP, Quebec provincial police, Montreal police as well as American authorities like the FBI and the US Postal Service. - DDNEWS
Posted October 10th, 2007 by Armen Hareyan
