A lawsuit has been filed in Oshawa, Ontario, against a former Durham Regional Police detective, Robert Silipo, and five other defendants, seeking nearly $300,000 in damages. The plaintiffs allege that Silipo, while still a police officer in 2022, collected pre-construction home deposits totaling $299,440, which have now gone missing in what appears to be a fraudulent scheme.
Silipo, who was the main point of contact for the home sales, is accused of facilitating the signing of agreements and mortgages with the plaintiffs. Text messages reviewed by CBC News reveal that Silipo arranged meetings with the plaintiffs in a parking lot next to the Durham police division in Oshawa to exchange paperwork for the purchases, giving the impression of legitimacy due to his position as a police officer.
The plaintiffs’ lawyer, Alex Henderson, emphasized that Silipo’s role as a police officer likely influenced the plaintiffs’ decision to trust him in what they believed to be legitimate real estate transactions. However, Silipo, through his lawyer, denies any wrongdoing and claims to be a victim in the situation. The allegations against Silipo have not been proven in court, and he has not faced criminal charges.
The plaintiffs, like others previously reported by CBC News, thought they were buying pre-construction homes from a reputable developer, Paradise Developments, at discounted rates with low mortgage options. However, it was later discovered that the company they paid deposits to, “Paradise Development Homes Limited,” had no affiliation with the legitimate developer, leading to the realization of a potential scam.
Another defendant in the lawsuit, Moiz Kunwar, has been charged with fraud and possession of property obtained by crime in connection with the deposit scheme. Peel Regional Police continue to investigate Kunwar for similar allegations of misrepresentation in real estate deals.
The plaintiffs in the lawsuit allege that Kunwar, along with Silipo, misled them into believing they were purchasing homes from Paradise Developments. Silipo contends that he was only acting as a go-between at Kunwar’s request and denies any direct involvement in inducing the purchases or being unjustly enriched by the sales.
Henderson revealed that Silipo did not provide the plaintiffs with Kunwar’s contact information until they raised concerns about the legitimacy of the agreements. Legal demand letters have been sent to Kunwar, Silipo, and Paradise Development Homes Limited requesting the return of the deposits, which have not been refunded to the plaintiffs.
The impact of not receiving their deposits back has been significant for the plaintiffs, with one client hoping to use the property for his unwell mother. The case is ongoing, with Silipo maintaining his innocence and intending to defend himself in court proceedings.
