Ottawa man charged in fraud investigation exceeding $7 million
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Thursday, October 22, 2026 10:00 a.m.
(Ottawa) — The Ottawa Police Service (OPS) has arrested and charged a 45-year-old Ottawa man following an investigation into the alleged theft of thousands of mobile phones, with losses exceeding $7 million.
The investigation, led by the OPS Financial Crimes Unit, examined alleged thefts and fraudulent activity that occurred between June 2022 and September 2025. The investigation was initiated following a complaint and conducted in cooperation with Bell Canada.
Investigators allege that the accused repeatedly threatened, harassed and extorted his sister, who was employed by Bell Canada at the time, to obtain mobile phones from the company through fraudulent means. The phones were then provided to the accused and subsequently sold.
His sister has since passed away.
Rabih KASSIS, 45, of Ottawa, has been charged with:
- Theft over $5,000
- Fraud over $5,000
- Conspiracy to commit an indictable offence
- Uttering threats of death or bodily harm
- Harassing by repeated telecommunications
- Extortion
Anonymous tips can be submitted to Crime Stoppers toll-free at 1-800-222-8477 or at crimestoppers.ca.
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