Police raid fraudulent construction billing ring
More than a hundred police officers are carrying out search warrants in a number of regions across Quebec today.
Sûreté du Québec Sgt. Daniel Thibaudeau said the investigation is looking into fraudulent billing within the construction industry.
In October, the SQ arrested 17 people involved in construction companies. Police believe the suspects created fake companies and used fraudulent invoices to generate cash. The fake invoices billed for labour and included GST and PST that was allegedly never paid to the government.
Police alleged the construction entrepreneurs used the cash to pay employees under the table and for personal expenses.
This morning's operation involved about 140 investigators from the Sûreté du Québec's financial division, municipal police forces and Revenue Quebec.
Thibaudeau confirmed that no arrests were expected in today's raids, which took place in Montreal, Quebec City, the Beauce region, and the Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean region.
Police are also looking into a number of companies involved in the construction industry.
Thibaudeau was unable to confirm whether today's raids were targeting homes or offices.
He said the searches are only one stage in an ongoing investigation.
