Saskatchewan RCMP are still searching for three former Regina residents suspected to be connected to a multi-million dollar online romance scam, after one suspect turned himself in to police in April.
Five men, formerly of Regina, are wanted for allegedly defrauding seven women of over $360,000 since 2018 using an online romance scam.
Austin Newton, 28, was arrested in Edmonton, Alta. in January, in connection to the investigation, and Kelvin Alwani, 24, turned himself into police in April after RCMP made a plea to the public for information on the remaining suspects’ whereabouts.
Newton and Alwani have already made their first court appearances in Regina provincial court.
Police have issued Canada-wide warrants for the arrest of the remaining three suspects and are still actively seeking Jonah Eigbuluese, 23, Clinton Newton, 27, and Joshua Ometie, 25.
They could be anywhere in the country at this time, say RCMP.
The Saskatchewan Federal Serious and Organized Crime unit have been investigating the incident since 2018, after Saskatchewan RCMP received a complaint from an individual whose name was used in a fraudulent transaction online.
Police have determined that these five individuals are connected to a larger international organization responsible for defrauding victims of over $2 million since 2018, using long-running online romance scams.
RCMP also say they were “struck by the apparent authenticity of these online romances” in an earlier press release, and the amount of time the suspects dedicated to their victims.
Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Jonah Eigbuluese, Clinton Newton, or Joshua Ometie is urged to contact RCMP at (306) 310-7267 or their local police service.
Information can also be submitted anonymously through Crime Stoppers, either by calling 1 (800) 222-8477 or online at saskcrimestoppers.com.
