Toronto police arrest two over alleged fraud targeting Greek Orthodox churches
Police say Martha Falk, 47, and Vasiliki Falk, 87, face six fraud-related charges combined, and they want other possible victims to contact them.
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Toronto police have arrested two people over an alleged fraud scheme that targeted Greek Orthodox churches in Toronto and the GTA, and they are asking anyone who may have been a victim and has not yet spoken to police to come forward.
The suspects are Martha Falk, 47, and Vasiliki Falk, 87. Police say the scheme targeted several churches. The alleged pretext was financial hardship from an ongoing court case and lawyer's fees, and the alleged method was emotional manipulation to obtain money.
The two suspects face six fraud-related charges, combined. These are allegations, and the charges have not been tested in court.
The material does not give a total amount defrauded, a number of victims, the names of the churches involved, the date of the arrests, or any court appearance, bail or next court date. Police contact details for victims were not included.
HighOnCity reported on August 28 that two people had been arrested in an investment fraud scheme centred on Willowdale. That is a separate case, and nothing in the material links it to the church scheme.
How many churches were targeted, and how much money was taken?
How many people have come forward so far?
We'll update this story as answers emerge.
The facts
Who were arrested in the Toronto church fraud case?
Martha Falk, 47, and Vasiliki Falk, 87, were arrested over an alleged fraud scheme targeting Greek Orthodox churches in Toronto and the GTA.
How many fraud charges do the suspects face combined?
The two suspects face six fraud-related charges combined.
What was the alleged pretext used in the fraud scheme?
The suspects allegedly claimed financial hardship from an ongoing court case and lawyer's fees, then used emotional manipulation to obtain money from victims.
