Durham police issue warrant for Oakville man in alleged SIM-swap fraud case

Durham Regional Police say they have issued an arrest warrant for a 31-year-old Oakville man in connection with an investigation into an alleged SIM-swap fraud that police say began in October 2025.

The case involves a type of fraud in which someone takes control of another person’s cellphone number, which can allow access to accounts that use text messages for security. Police allege the suspect then used the victim’s information to make purchases using the victim’s credit card data.

In an Oct. 29 news release, Durham police said their Financial Crimes Unit started investigating after a victim’s cellphone unexpectedly entered SOS mode and lost connection to the cellular network. Police said the victim contacted their service provider and learned they had been targeted in a SIM-swap fraud.

A SIM swap is when a fraudster gains control of a victim’s cellphone number by transferring it to another SIM card.

Police said investigators determined the suspect used the victim’s identity and cellphone number to bypass two-factor authentication and then made fraudulent purchases using the victim’s credit card information.

Police identified the suspect as Jessan Vernet-Fort, 31, of Oakville.

Vernet-Fort is wanted for one count each of fraud over $5,000, mischief/tampering with computer data, unauthorized use of a computer to obtain computer service, and intercept private communication. Police said he is also wanted for two counts of unauthorized use of credit card data.

Police said Vernet-Fort is known to have ties to Ontario and Quebec.

The allegations have not been proven in court.