JODI-ANN BONNICK, a Jamaican residing in Canada who was in February this year accused of defrauding a local businesswoman of more than $3 million, is now being sought by the Toronto police for another fraud-related offence.

The Toronto Police Service last Friday posted a notice on their website requesting the public’s assistance locating Bonnick who, they said, is under investigation for fraud amounting to more than CAD$5,000.

According to police, it is alleged that the victim spoke with Bonnick about business opportunities in September 2022. The victim placed nine orders for goods worth more than $800,000 that were supposed to be shipped to various retail stores, but the goods were never received.

The Toronto Police said that 33-year-old Bonnick, of King City, is wanted for 10 counts of fraud amounting to over CAD$5,000; eight counts of making a false statement to procure money; and 10 counts of possession of proceeds obtained by crime exceeding CAD$5000.

Bonnick formerly operated a West Indian grocery store on Weston Road, near Jane Street in Canada.

In February this year she appeared before Senior Parish Judge Lori-Ann Cole-Montague at Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court on accusations of obtaining goods by fraud totalling $3.2 million.

The court heard that, over time, Bonnick, under the guise of operating a West Indian store, incurred a debt of $3,267,941 from the complainant by allegedly falsely representing herself as the owner of Bonnick West Indian Grocery Store, contrary to Section 36 of the Larceny Act.

The complainant, a small business owner, reportedly extended credit to the accused woman with the hope that the owed amount would be repaid. However, payment was not forthcoming.

In response to the allegations, Bonnick’s defence counsel stated that upon learning of the accusations, his client promptly paid CAD$6,000 ($627,600) to the complainant.

Bonnick, who was detained by police at Norman Manley International Airport upon her arrival in the country on Monday, February 5, was reportedly pregnant and receiving treatment in Canada for a specific condition, her defence attorney informed the court while seeking bail for his client.

However, the Crown opposed bail, citing her dual citizenship as evidence of a potential flight risk.

Furthermore, the investigating officer noted that additional individuals had come forward to file complaints against Bonnick, with expectations of more cases being brought before the court.

Despite the defence’s efforts, Judge Cole-Montague remanded Bonnick.

It was not clear on Sunday whether Bonnick is still in Jamaica or is in Canada.