Two teenagers from Oshawa have been charged after allegedly using fake bills at pet stores in Ajax and Whitby, Ontario. The incidents occurred on January 15, 2026, at two different locations of the same pet supply chain.
The Durham Regional Police Service reported that a 15-year-old and a 16-year-old purchased a dog crate using counterfeit money at a store in Ajax. They then went to a second store location in Whitby to return the item for legitimate cash.
Later that evening, the suspects returned to the Whitby store to try for another refund but ran away after being confronted by staff members. Both youths turned themselves in to police in March 2026 and were released on conditions while they wait for a future court date.
Each teenager faces two counts of fraud under $5,000 and two counts of using counterfeit money. Their names are being kept private under the Youth Criminal Justice Act, which protects the identity of accused persons under the age of 18.
These charges follow a major increase in fake money crimes across the region, which rose by 121 per cent in 2025. Anyone with information about this case is asked to contact the police financial crimes unit or call Crime Stoppers anonymously.
