Competition Bureau Announces Charges Against Toronto-Based Deceptive Telemarketers
OTTAWA,
May 2006 – The Competition Bureau announced today that criminal charges
have been laid against a Toronto-based telemarketing operation, which
allegedly targeted businesses and not-for-profit organizations across
Canada, invoicing them for toner and ink jet cartridges which they did
not order and did not want.Andrew James Wilson, 34, of Toronto and
1462986 Ontario Inc., appeared in Provincial Court in Toronto today to
face criminal charges under the Competition Act and the Criminal Code.
The accused operated as National Supply Centre and Business Supply
Centre.The accused allegedly convinced customers to accept and pay for
toner and ink jet cartridges by leading them to believe they were
dealing with their regular supplier. Customers were allegedly told that
a price increase had occurred or was imminent and that they would be
receiving a product at a reduced price, thus creating the impression of
a cost savings.According to victims interviewed by the Competition
Bureau, the prices charged by the parties were two or three times
higher than what they would pay their regular supplier of toner and/or
ink jet cartridges. The accused allegedly refilled toner cartridges on
their own premises and failed to tell prospective customers that the
cartridges were not new ones.”Deceptive telemarketing operations prey
on all facets of the business community, bilking unsuspecting companies
of millions of dollars,” said Raymond Pierce, Deputy Commissioner,
Competition Bureau. “The Bureau is committed to combatting this
criminal activity through rigorous investigation and prosecution of
those involved.”The Toronto Strategic Partnership, which assisted in
this investigation, is an international law enforcement partnership
dedicated to combatting mass marketing fraud. Members of the
partnership include the Competition Bureau, the Toronto Police Service,
the Ontario Provincial Police, the RCMP, Ontario Ministry of Government
Services, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission, the U.S. Postal Inspection
Service, and the UK’s Office of Fair Trading.The Competition Bureau is
an independent law enforcement agency that promotes and maintains fair
competition so that all Canadians can benefit from competitive prices,
product choice and quality service. It oversees the application of the
Competition Act, the Consumer Packaging and Labelling Act, the Textile
Labelling Act and the Precious Metals Marking Act.