The police can?t launch their fraud investigation for going after fake fire inspectors because the records kept at the Facilities Management division of the City of Toronto are in such bad shape that they?re nearly non-existent.
The police are trying to investigate allegations of phony double bidding for contracts, bad work, history of poor performance, overcharging for work (including work that was never rendered), and double billing. The records are kept in the same building where safety contracts are won by phony fire inspectors regularly.
Worrying Issues Surfaced
Beverly Romeo-Beehler, city auditor general, drew attention to a possible mismanagement of the city and wrongdoing by a vendor by telling the audit committee that the present situation poses a definite high risk for fraud which can be difficult to prove because good records are non-existent. She also asked if the police will be able to prove possible fraud if they can unearth needed records.
A few weeks ago, the National Post confirmed that the police can?t even start a probe because the documentation kept by the Facilities Management is so badly kept.
Serious Concerns
All of this started when Romeo-Beehler received some information allegedly saying that 3 companies that have been conducting business with the city for about 10 years are involved in less than desirable activities. The 3 companies are Advanced Detection Technologies Corp, Advance Fire Control, and York Fire Protection and are allegedly under the same ?directing mind? of one Rauf Ahmad.
The companies are allegedly one and the same and are using multiple fake identities, changing uniforms, switching logos, doctoring papers and addresses to double bid for contracts, overcharge for work not done, and double-bill the city. The person(s) behind the companies allegedly resorted to this after their first company failed to get contracts due to a long history of shoddy work and general poor performance.
City councilor Josh Matlow said that the whole situation is so bizarre that it seems like the plot for a show but have happened in real life at the taxpayer?s expense. The sad thing is that aside from money, the people of Toronto are also being scammed of their right to be safe.
Officials Chimed In
The original complaint was passed to Facilities Management chief corporate officer Josie Scioli for initial assessment but it came back saying that there was no support for the allegations as invoices can?t be found (meaning, that no money was paid, hence there is no fraud). Upon further investigation, it turned out that the audit trail is missing and so it can?t be known if invoices were even issued at all.
The Real Danger
This is a big issue because aside from the lost payments, the buildings inspected by the allegedly fraudsters are buildings where people work, and now their safety is compromised. Investigators are still trying to get to the bottom of the situation to this day; meanwhile, the city officials are looking into hiring a third party to determine the safety of buildings involved in the fraudsters? alleged wrongdoing.
Even the city government can be duped by scammers posing as legitimate businesses. Knowing how to spot fraud and avoid is it now of a bigger significance more than ever. Should you wish to find out more information about a shady company, we can help you at HaywoodHunt. Contact us today for our corporate investigation and personal investigation services.
