Project Jetsetter – Criminal Tourism Investigations

Today, Durham Regional Police Service (DRPS) announced the results of Project Jetsetter – a coordinated enforcement and investigative response focused on criminal tourism.

Project Jetsetter is the culmination of multiple major investigations into organized criminal activity in Durham Region and across the Greater Toronto Area. This initiative targeted organized groups travelling to Canada for the purpose of executing high-profit crimes, often connected to international criminal networks. These activities are deliberate, coordinated, and profit-driven; not random or opportunistic.

Through more than nine separate investigations and over 5,000 investigative hours, the DRPS Financial Crimes Unit has tracked more than 200 incidents tied to criminal tourism, resulting in over $2.61 million in confirmed financial losses in Durham Region alone.

Investigations have identified a wide range of organized criminal activity, including large-scale retail theft operations, vehicle purchasing scams, vehicle financing fraud, staged collisions for insurance fraud, jewelry distraction thefts, and the theft and exportation of vehicles and other goods.  These offences are structured, repeatable, and designed to maximize financial gain.

Of particular concern is the significant increase in jewelry distraction thefts, where suspects use coordinated distraction techniques to steal valuables from victims in public or on private property. Police have seen these incidents rise dramatically, with victims—often seniors—targeted through deception-based approaches such as offering assistance or gifts while removing jewelry.

These incidents have a significant impact on our communities, businesses, and vulnerable individuals, including seniors, affecting both financial security and personal safety.

As a result of these investigations, 46 individuals have been arrested and 164 suspects remain wanted. The investigations connected to Project Jetsetter date back to 2019, involve more than 1,440 charges, and remain ongoing as investigators continue to identify additional incidents linked to criminal tourism.

DRPS continues to work closely with policing partners, including the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, to track offenders across jurisdictions, share intelligence, and disrupt these networks at both the local and national level.

“Criminal tourism is a recent, borderless form of organized crime that impacts the daily lives of Canadians and underscores the need for strong global partnerships. Our intelligence program works closely with our policing partners to connect the dots and enhance public safety,” said Mario Panizzon, Director General, RCMP National Intelligence.

Police are reminding residents and business owners to remain vigilant. Criminal tourism often targets situations where individuals may be distracted or where safeguards are limited.

“Public awareness is an important part of preventing these types of crimes,” added DRPS Police Chief Moreira. “By recognizing the warning signs and reporting suspicious behaviour, residents can help reduce opportunities for offenders and support ongoing investigations.”

Project Jetsetter will continue to focus on identifying and apprehending those involved, while disrupting the broader criminal networks behind these activities.

For a full list of Project Jetsetter investigations, including charge lists, please click here:

https://www.drps.ca/media/rvejkuh0/project-jetsetter_chargelist.pdf

If you have any information about these suspects and their whereabouts, suspicious activities, or related incidents, please contact us or visit: https://www.drps.ca/community-safety-and-support/crime-prevention/fraud-and-financial-crimes/

Anyone with information is asked to contact Cst. Tucker of the Financial Crimes Unit at 1-888-579-1520 ext. 5373 or email fraud@drps.ca

Anonymous information can be sent to Durham Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or online at www.durhamregionalcrimestoppers.ca and tipsters may be eligible for a cash reward.

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