OTTAWA — As residents get ready for the upcoming snow season, Ottawa police charge four companies with fraud related to derelict snow removal service from last winter.

“The Ottawa Police Service (OPS) Fraud Unit conducted investigations into three Ottawa-based snow removal companies – Snow Vaporizers, Faul Properties and Altitude Snow Removal – from the winter of 2019/2020 in relation to fraud allegations made from members of the public.”

The investigations revealed the companies fraudulently obtained money for snow removal services from residents of the City of Ottawa. Funds were obtained by cash, cheque, e-transfer and credit card. According to reports made to the OPS, little to no snow removal service was provided after payment was made.

The companies operated independently and are not connected to each other.

The Ottawa Police Service Fraud Unit has proceeded with the following charges:

• Snow Vaporizers – owner Michael Labrecque, 29-years-old, obtained approximately $34500 and is facing seven counts of obtaining money by false pretence not exceeding $5,000 and seven counts of fraud not exceeding $5,000
• Faul Properties – owner Alexandre Albuquerque-Bussieres, 40-years-old, obtained approximately $3,300 and is facing 11 counts of obtaining money by false pretence not exceeding $5,000 and 11 counts of fraud not exceeding $5,000
• Altitude Snow Removal – owner Nataliano Petrini-Woolley, 28-years-old, obtained approximately $7,000 and is facing seven counts of obtaining money by false pretence not exceeding $5,000 and seven counts of fraud not exceeding $5,000

“The OPS Fraud Unit is concerned there are additional victims that have not made reports to the police,” the OPS said. “If you were a victim of Snow Vaporizers, Faul Properties, or Altitude Snow Removal, please consider making an online report to the Ottawa Police Service. The OPS Fraud Unit would also like to remind the public to consider asking more questions in relation to snow removal companies as winter approaches. The best price and/or promise may be too good to be true. Consider doing research on the company you’re interested in to see if they are licenced, well known, have the capabilities and are reliable.”