A disbarred Brampton lawyer has been arrested and charged with orchestrating a sophisticated $4.3 million mortgage fraud scheme that exploited legal trust accounts—the safeguard mechanisms designed to protect buyers and lenders during property closings.
Pawanjeet Singh Mann, 52, faces 13 criminal charges including fraud over $5,000, criminal breach of trust, and uttering forged documents. The scheme involved misusing client trust accounts across four separate incidents in the Region of Peel, with police warning that additional victims may come forward.
This case underscores growing enforcement pressure in Ontario’s mortgage sector. The Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario launched 100 enforcement actions in 2024-25—up 54% from the prior year—with the mortgage sector accounting for the largest share of penalties totaling $1.2 million.
For GTA homebuyers and sellers, the arrest highlights a critical vulnerability in real estate transactions. Deputy Chief Nick Milinovich stressed that such breaches “affect daily lives, sense of security, and confidence in systems meant to protect” communities. Peel Regional Police recommend verifying any legal professional’s credentials through the Law Society of Ontario before transferring funds.
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