Two people are facing charges after a High River senior was defrauded over $200,000.

A "complex investigation" into the lottery scam from the RCMP Federal Policing Integrated Money Laundering Investigative Team and High River RCMP led to a Canada-wide warrant being issued for two individuals back in June.

The two are alleged to be linked to multiple fraud and laundering offences.

On June 21, 21-year-old Dwayne-Ann Aaliyah Johnson of Edmonton was arrested at Toronto Pearson International Airport attempting to travel to Edmonton from Jamaica.

A few days later, 23-year-old Romeo Junior Spence turned himself in to the RCMP in Grande Prairie.

Both are facing the following charges:

  • Fraud contrary to section 380(1)(a) of the Criminal Code;
  • Possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000 contrary to section 355(a) of the Criminal Code; and,
  • Laundering proceeds of crime contrary to section 462.31(1)(a) of the Criminal Code.

Johnson has also been charged with Use, trafficking or possession of a forged document contrary to section 368(1)(a) of the Criminal Code.

Spence is scheduled to appear in Okotoks Provincial Court on July 21, with Johnson to appear on July 28.

Staff Sgt. Greg Wiebe with the High River RCMP detachment was quoted in a release:

"This investigation highlights the RCMP’s ability to bring together multiple investigational units to deter and solve complex crimes."