October 3, 2013 Securities

This morning, the integrated financial crime prevention team that is part of the organized financial crime investigations division of the Sûreté du Québec, which is made up of investigators from the Sûreté du Québec and the Autorité des marchés financiers (AMF), arrested six individuals in connection with a Ponzi scheme estimated at over $19 million.

The suspects under arrest are France-Josée Dancause, 49, from Longueuil, Alain PéloquinRespondent Alain Péloquin should not be confused with representative of mutual fund dealer Alain Péloquin of TD Investment Services Inc., NRD No. 148481, who is not affected by these orders., 48, from Sherbrooke, Benoît Sénécal, 57, from Longueuil, Sophie Jolicoeur, 44, from Mont-Saint-Hilaire, Isabelle CantinRespondent Isabelle Cantin should not be confused with representative in personal insurance and representative of mutual fund dealer Isabelle Cantin of Services d'Assurance I.G. inc. (Boucherville) and Investors Group Inc., holder of certificate No. 187322, NRD registration 2557641, who is not affected by these orders., 36, from Sherbrooke and Chantal Goulet, 44, from Longueuil. They will be facing various charges, including fraud, laundering proceeds of crime and gangsterism.

A man is still wanted as part of this operation.  He is Jean-Marc Lavallée This link will open in a new window, 65, from La Prairie.

In addition to these arrests, the investigators applied a freeze order on a home.

See press release issued by Sûreté du Québec This link will open in a new window (in French only).

AMF obtained freeze and cease trade orders in 2011

In février 2011, the AMF took action in this matter and obtained freeze orders and orders to cease acting as a dealer or adviser in connection with the activities of Alain Péloquin, Isabelle Cantin and Jean-Marc Lavallée because it was feared that the funds raised from investors would be wasted or distributed unfairly among them and that solicitation activities would continue.

Fraud prevention

Prevention is the best way to protect yourself against fraud. The AMF offers a number of tools and publications to help you detect signs of potential fraud.

If you're faced with a seemingly attractive investment, here are five easy steps to help you determine possible fraud.

¹Respondent Alain Péloquin should not be confused with representative of mutual fund dealer Alain Péloquin of TD Investment Services Inc., NRD No. 148481, who is not affected by these orders.

²Respondent Isabelle Cantin should not be confused with representative in personal insurance and representative of mutual fund dealer Isabelle Cantin of Services d'Assurance I.G. inc. (Boucherville) and Investors Group Inc., holder of certificate No. 187322, NRD registration 2557641, who is not affected by these orders.