Durham Regional Police have unveiled a troubling case of exploitation targeting seniors, resulting in 40 charges against a man and woman from Ajax. Lakshanth Selvarajah, 27, and Akshayah Tharmakulenthiran, 25, are accused of orchestrating a scheme that preyed upon elderly individuals, leaving a trail of financial devastation in its wake.

According to investigators, the duo allegedly executed their plan by impersonating representatives of reputable bank and credit card companies. Targeting seniors, they would reach out by phone, claiming that the individuals’ accounts had been compromised. This sinister ploy aimed to sow panic and confusion among the vulnerable elderly population.

Once they had gained the trust of their victims, Selvarajah and Tharmakulenthiran would proceed to arrange the collection of the seniors’ bank cards under false pretenses. Sending a courier to the victims’ homes, they would retrieve the cards along with the corresponding passwords, effectively granting the perpetrators unrestricted access to the victims’ finances.

The consequences were dire, with unsuspecting seniors falling victim to fraudulent purchases made using their compromised accounts. Among the victims were a couple in their 90s, highlighting the callous disregard for the well-being of some of society’s most vulnerable members.

The charges against Selvarajah and Tharmakulenthiran are extensive, including but not limited to fraud over $5,000 and unauthorized use of credit cards.