Competition Bureau announces charges against Toronto-based deceptive telemarketers

Ottawa, May 25, 2006 — The Competition Bureau announced today that criminal charges have been laid against a Toronto-based telemarketing operation, which allegedly targeted businesses and not-for-profit organizations across Canada, invoicing them for toner and ink jet cartridges which they did not order and did not want.

Andrew James Wilson, 34, of Toronto and 1462986 Ontario Inc., appeared in Provincial Court in Toronto today to face criminal charges under the Competition Act and the Criminal Code. The accused operated as National Supply Centre and Business Supply Centre.

The accused allegedly convinced customers to accept and pay for toner and ink jet cartridges by leading them to believe they were dealing with their regular supplier. Customers were allegedly told that a price increase had occurred or was imminent and that they would be receiving a product at a reduced price, thus creating the impression of a cost savings. 

According to victims interviewed by the Competition Bureau, the prices charged by the parties were two or three times higher than what they would pay their regular supplier of toner and/or ink jet cartridges.  The accused allegedly refilled toner cartridges on their own premises and failed to tell prospective customers that the cartridges were not new ones.

“Deceptive telemarketing operations prey on all facets of the business community, bilking unsuspecting companies of millions of dollars,” said Raymond Pierce, Deputy Commissioner, Competition Bureau. “The Bureau is committed to combatting this criminal activity through rigorous investigation and prosecution of those involved.”

The Toronto Strategic Partnership, which assisted in this investigation, is an international law enforcement partnership dedicated to combatting mass marketing fraud.  Members of the partnership include the Competition Bureau, the Toronto Police Service, the Ontario Provincial Police, the RCMP, Ontario Ministry of Government Services, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and the UK’s Office of Fair Trading.

The Competition Bureau is an independent law enforcement agency. We contribute to the prosperity of Canadians by protecting and promoting competitive markets and enabling informed consumer choice.

For media enquiries, please contact:
Maureen McGrath
Communications Advisor
Communications Branch
819-953-8982, or 613-296-2187 (cell)

For general enquiries, please contact:
Information Centre
Competition Bureau
819-997-4282
1-800-348-5358