Ottawa man charged in $7 million Bell Canada phone theft and extortion scheme
A 45-year-old Ottawa resident was arrested Thursday after a three-year investigation into the theft of thousands of mobile phones from Bell Canada, with losses exceeding $7 million.
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A 45-year-old Ottawa man has been arrested and charged following a three-year investigation into the theft of thousands of mobile phones from Bell Canada, with losses exceeding $7 million.
Rabih Kassis was arrested Thursday, October 22, and faces six charges: theft over $5,000, fraud over $5,000, conspiracy to commit an indictable offence, uttering threats of death or bodily harm, harassing by repeated telecommunications, and extortion. The investigation ran from June 2022 to September 2025 and was conducted in cooperation with Bell Canada.
According to Ottawa Police Service, Kassis threatened, harassed and extorted his sister—a Bell Canada employee—to obtain mobile phones from the company through fraudulent means. The phones were subsequently sold. The victim has since passed away, though police have not disclosed how or when.
The investigation status remains ongoing. Ottawa Police Service is requesting information from the public. Anyone with information should contact the Ottawa Police Service or Crime Stoppers anonymously at crimestoppers.ca.
The facts
Who was arrested in the Bell Canada phone theft case?
Rabih Kassis, a 45-year-old Ottawa resident, was arrested on Thursday, October 22, 2026.
How much money was lost in the theft and extortion scheme?
Losses exceeded $7 million from the theft of thousands of mobile phones from Bell Canada.
How long did the investigation take?
The investigation ran from June 2022 to September 2025.
How many charges does Kassis face?
Kassis faces six charges: theft over $5,000, fraud over $5,000, conspiracy to commit an indictable offence, uttering threats of death or bodily harm, harassing by repeated telecommunications, and extortion.
