Jamaican-born Jodi-Ann Bonnick, who was charged earlier this year for defrauding a Jamaican businesswoman of over $3 million, is now being pursued by Toronto police for another fraud-related incident.
The Toronto Police Service issued a public appeal last Friday, seeking assistance in locating Bonnick, who is under investigation for fraud exceeding CAD$5,000. According to the authorities, the 33-year-old, a resident of King City, Ontario, is facing multiple charges stemming from alleged fraudulent business dealings in September 2022.
Investigators allege that Bonnick convinced a victim to place nine orders for goods valued at more than $800,000, promising delivery to various retail stores. However, the goods were never received.
Bonnick is now wanted for 10 counts of fraud over CAD$5,000, eight counts of making a false statement to procure money, and 10 counts of possession of proceeds obtained by crime exceeding CAD$5,000. She previously operated a West Indian grocery store on Weston Road, near Jane Street, in Toronto.
In February, Bonnick appeared in a Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court in Jamaica, accused of obtaining goods by fraud totaling $3.2 million. The court heard that Bonnick, under the pretense of running a West Indian store, incurred a significant debt by falsely representing herself as the owner of Bonnick West Indian Grocery Store. The complainant, a local business owner, had extended credit in good faith but never received payment.
Bonnick’s defence attorney claimed that she had already repaid CAD$6,000 to the complainant after becoming aware of the accusations.
At the time of her February court appearance, Bonnick had been detained at Norman Manley International Airport upon returning to Jamaica and was reportedly pregnant and receiving medical treatment in Canada, according to the Jamaica Observer.
Despite the defence’s request for bail, citing her medical condition, the Crown opposed her release, considering her a flight risk due to her dual citizenship. The court also noted additional complaints against Bonnick were anticipated.
It remains unclear whether Bonnick is currently in Jamaica or has returned to Canada.
