Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) Federal Policing – Central Region has charged eight individuals from Ottawa, Gatineau, and Montreal in connection with a cyber‑enabled fraud targeting the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) program. CERB was introduced to support Canadians during the COVID‑19 pandemic and was administered by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA).

In August 2020, the RCMP’s International Anti‑Corruption Team, within the Sensitive and International Investigations (SII) unit, and the Cybercrime Investigative Team launched a joint investigation into a cyber attack on the CRA’s online portal.

The investigation revealed a sophisticated fraud scheme involving networks of individuals who worked together to steal personal identities, unlawfully access CRA accounts, and fraudulently claim CERB benefits.

With assistance from the CRA, investigators determined that suspects gained unauthorized access to taxpayer accounts, altered banking information, and redirected CERB payments into accounts under their control. Fraudulent claims linked to these accused totalled approximately $364,000 defrauded from the Government of Canada.

The RCMP acknowledges and thanks the Forensic Accounting and Management Group (FAMG), the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (FINTRAC), and the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) for their cooperation and support throughout the investigation.

As a result of the investigation, the individuals who were charged include under the Criminal Code are  Paul Harry Jayme, 39, of Montreal, Quebec for Fraud over $5,000, contrary to section 380(1)(a), Houssame Bennouna, 26, of Montreal, Quebec for fraud over $5,000, contrary to section 380(1)(a), David Richard Thran, 25, of Ottawa, Ontario for fraud over $5,000, contrary to section 380(1)(a) and  Possession of identity information with intent to commit an indictable offence, contrary to section 402.2(1), Louis Henri Dacoury‑Tabley, 29, of Montreal, Quebec,  Kouakou Ange Patrick Elliams Kouassi, 31, of Gatineau, Quebec and  Lagaud Paul Andre Bouabre, 26, of Gatineau, Quebec for  Fraud over $5,000, contrary to section 380(1)(a), Possession of identity information with intent to commit an indictable offence, contrary to section 402.2(1), Mory Ismael Toure, 36, of Gatineau, Quebec for  Possession of identity information with intent to commit an indictable offence, contrary to section 402.2(1). 

Additionally, on May 29th, 2025, Jospin Berol Mougang‑Tionjock, 28, of Montreal, Quebec, was charged in relation to this investigation with Fraud over $5,000, contrary to section 380(1)(a). The accused are scheduled to appear in court in Montreal, Quebec on July 7.

"Cyber‑enabled fraud schemes targeting government benefit programs present complex and evolving challenges for law enforcement. These crimes often transcend borders and require specialized investigative approaches to identify those responsible and disrupt their operations," 
Inspector Guy Michel Nkili, Officer in Charge, RCMP Central Region International Anti Corruption Team.