An investigation into distraction thefts across Ontario has resulted in two individuals facing a total of 130 charges in relation to the thefts.
In the spring of 2025, the Ontario Province Police (OPP) Central Region Crime Unit identified a pattern of criminal activity that began in October 2024. The investigation, named Project Final, was led by the Nottawasaga Detachment Major Crime Unit and focused on multiple distraction thefts across Ontario.
The investigation revealed that the accused employed tactics such as “shoulder surfing” to observe victims entering their PINs at financial institutions. Once the PIN was obtained, the suspects would engage the victim in a verbal or physical distraction, during which the victim’s debit card was covertly swapped with a previously stolen card. This method allowed the suspects to delay detection and use the stolen card to withdraw funds or make purchases, often in the form of gift cards. The average age of victims was approximately 75 years old.
As a result of the investigation, Sasha Popisan Bravo, 24 of Bradford, has been charged with:
• Fraud under $5000 – 24 counts
• Property obtained by crime under $5000 – 24 counts
• Theft of credit card – 23 counts
• Unauthorized use of credit card – 24 counts
• Conspiracy to commit indictable offence – one count
Co-accused, Dylan Chancafe Bravo, 18 of Bradford, has been charged with:
• Fraud under $5000 – eight counts
• Property obtained by crime under $5000 – nine counts
• Theft of credit card – eight counts
• Unauthorized use of credit card – eight counts
• Conspiracy to commit indictable offence – one count
The accused are believed to be responsible for at least 23 identified occurrences involving distraction-style thefts targeting vulnerable individuals, primarily seniors..
The OPP continues to investigate and encourages anyone who may have been a victim of similar thefts to come forward by contacting the Nottawasaga OPP at 1-888-310-1122 and reference E250367401. Anonymous tips can be submitted to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online at ontariocrimestoppers.ca.
