Quebec man charged with bail fraud in Halifax area faces trial in March 2024

Early next year, a Quebec man will stand trial on 33 fraud-related charges related to bail scams targeting seniors in the Halifax area.

Omar Zanfi, 25, of Laval was apprehended last December 6 in Moncton, NB, and transported to Halifax to face charges.

Zanfi is charged with 14 counts of fraud over $5,000, 13 counts of possession of property over $5,000, two counts of fraud under $5,000, three counts of possession of property under $5,000 committed by a crime and once of participation in a criminal organization .

Attorney Chloe Gagnon entered not guilty pleas last month in Halifax Provincial Court on behalf of Zanfi, who was granted bail and placed under house arrest at his family’s home in Laval last December.

Gagnon appeared in court again on Tuesday to set dates for a week-long trial. Judge Elizabeth Buckle scheduled the case to be heard from March 4 to 8.

Between November 29 and December 2, the Halifax Regional Police and RCMP received several reports of similar fraud.

The victims were called by fraudsters saying a family member had been arrested and needed money for bail. The call would then usually be taken over by another person pretending to be in a position of authority, such as a police officer or lawyer, and instructing the victim to provide the money for bail.

The fraudsters then sent a supposed guarantor to the victim’s address to collect the money or request that it be sent by courier.

Zanfi was released on $14,000 bail with his father as bail. Zanfi must remain in his place of residence unless he is going to work, attending educational programs or interviews, handling medical emergencies or making appointments or fulfilling legal obligations, or fulfilling personal needs for four hours each Saturday afternoon.

He is not allowed to handle money during his work, is not allowed to have a passport, is not allowed to have a bank card, identity card or driver’s license in someone else’s name and is not allowed to associate with anyone with a criminal record.

Zanfi is also required to phone Halifax Police every Friday and was instructed to have no contact with 20 complainants and to stay away from 16 addresses in Halifax, Dartmouth, Bedford, Hammonds Plains, Timberlea, Lake Loon and East Preston.