Durham: man wanted in SIM-swap fraud investigation, police say

Durham Regional Police say a man is wanted in connection with a SIM-swap fraud investigation that began in October 2025, after a victim's cellphone unexpectedly went into SOS mode and lost its cellular connection. When the victim contacted their service provider, police say, they learned they had been targeted in a SIM-swap fraud.

Police explain that a SIM swap happens when a fraudster gains control of a victim's cellphone number by transferring it to another SIM card. In this case, investigators determined that the suspect used the victim's identity and cellphone number to bypass two-factor authentication and make fraudulent purchases using the victim's credit card information, according to police.

Police say they have identified the suspect and a warrant has been issued for the arrest of Jessan Vernet-Fort, 31, of Oakville, who is wanted for fraud over $5,000, mischief/tampering with computer data, unauthorized use of a computer, intercepting a private communication and two counts of unauthorized use of credit card data. Police say Vernet-Fort is known to have ties to Ontario and Quebec, and that the allegations in the release have yet to be proven in court. Anyone with information about his whereabouts is asked to contact D/Cst. Kane of the Financial Crimes Unit at 905-579-1520, ext. 5371.