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In February 2024, officers from the Niagara Regional Police Service (NRPS) assigned to 1 District (St. Catharines/Thorold) office responded to a commercial business regarding a belated fraud involving a Chartered Professional Accountant. The investigation was forwarded to detectives assigned to the NRPS Central Fraud Unit.

As a result of the investigation, detectives learned that the business had hired a Chartered Professional Accountant who is the sole director of Ontario Incorporated 2629884 and owner of Justin Jay Tax Accounting & Advisory Services to assume all accounting services. When the business became skeptical of the accounting practices, a third-party review was conducted, resulting in allegations of fraud.

On April 23, 2025, Cherrel MONTON-MATSUGU, 44, of Niagara Falls, was arrested and charged with the following Criminal Code offences:
• Fraud over $5,000
• Possession of proceeds of property obtained by crime over $5,000
• Altering a document with intent to defraud
• Criminal breach of trust

She was released from custody by means of a Form 10 Undertaking and is scheduled to appear in court on May 21, 2025, at the Robert S.K. Welch Courthouse, located at 59 Church Street in the City of St. Catharines.

The complainants in this matter have requested that the NRPS not release further details and the identity of the involved business.

Anyone with information about this investigation is asked to contact the lead detective by calling 905-688-4111, option 3, extension 1009488.

Members of the public who wish to provide information anonymously can contact Crime Stoppers of Niagara online or by calling 1-800-222-8477.  Crime Stoppers offers cash rewards to persons who contact the program with information which leads to an arrest.

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Incident #24-11184