Terry Croteau was sentenced after pleading guilty to fraud over $5000, making false representations in telemarketing contrary to the Competition Act, and using a forged document.
The offences stemmed from intertwined direct mail and telemarketing schemes that defrauded over 2,000 victims of approximately $1.3 million between 2012 and 2019.
The schemes involved misleading "Final Notices" and telemarketing calls designed to appear affiliated with legitimate directories like Yellow Pages, and the use of forged collection letters from "Credifax." Croteau had a prior US conviction for similar fraudulent activity.
The court accepted a joint submission for a 30-month jail sentence, emphasizing denunciation and deterrence due to the magnitude, duration, and recidivism of the offender.