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Two fugitives wanted for financial crimes have been arrested in Ontario after nearly five years on the lam.
Fernando Honorate de Silva Fagundes, 70, and his wife, Emilia Alas-As Elansin, 44, were arrested in Algonquin Highlands, Ont., by the RCMP Federal Policing Northwest Region’s (NWR) Integrated Market Enforcement Team in Calgary with help from the Ontario Provincial Police, Christina Zoernig, the NWR’s communications officer confirmed to CBC News.
Canada-wide warrants had been issued for the Alberta couple in November 2021.
Police say those warrants were issued after an investigation determined that Fagundes and Elansin had allegedly misappropriated nearly $5 million in investors’ funds between January 2019 and December 2020 through an Alberta-based day trading company.
The two have each been charged with theft, fraud over $5,000 and laundering proceeds of crime over $5,000.
Police say the fugitives were arrested without incident after “an unrelated call for service” and taken back to Alberta.
“IMET is committed to conducting thorough and complex investigations against those who choose to victimize Canadians through the abuse of Canada’s capital markets system,” Supt. Stephen Reid with RCMP Federal Policing Northwest Region said in a release.
“In this case, the investigation continued years after the evidence of offences had been secured. The dedication and investigative work of all those involved were instrumental in locating the accused and ensuring they are returned to face the charges before the courts.”
Fagundes is scheduled to appear at the Alberta Court of Justice in Calgary on June 22, while Elansin’s appearance is scheduled for on June 24.
