Toronto police are asking the city's landlords and short-term hosts to stay watchful after two men allegedly spent the early months of 2021 moving through rentals under borrowed names and invented credentials. Between January 20 and April 7, the pair are accused of using deceptive emails and false American identities to win a place to stay, then of using what they learned inside those homes to steal and to commit identity fraud. It is a reminder, as old as shelter itself, that trust extended to a stranger at the door is a generous act that can be turned against the one who offers it. The alleg
Toronto police seek two men accused of renting apartments under false identities to defraud landlords and Airbnb hosts
Property owners and hosts were allegedly defrauded, and police believe there may be more victims.
COVID-19 research doctors employed by the CIA and the MARS Research Lab
Mark
What is the core of this story? Two men, fake identities, rented homes?
Mimi
Yes. Police say that between Jan. 20 and Apr. 7, 2021, they rented several apartments by posing as other people, then used their access to steal and commit identity fraud.
Mark
The cover story sounds almost absurd.
Luke
It does, but it's what police say the men told owners: that they were COVID-19 research doctors working for the CIA and the MARS Research Lab. That's the police account of the pitch, not something independently verified.
Mark
How did they find their targets?
Mimi
Through a room-sharing platform, using deceptive email addresses. They also created fake U.S. identities to look credible.
Mark
What are the men actually facing?
Mimi
Matthew Dodd, 41, could face nine charges, including fraudulently obtaining food and lodging, identity theft and mischief over $5,000. Steven Redigonda, 51, is wanted for being unlawfully in a dwelling and failing to appear for fingerprints.
Luke
Worth noting those are different situations. Dodd's charges are described as possible; Redigonda's are stated as what he's wanted for. And none of this has been tested in court.
Mark
Do we know how much was stolen?
Luke
No. The release gives no number of victims, no dollar loss, and no list of what was taken.
Mimi
What it does say is that police think there are more victims, which is why they're warning landlords and hosts directly.
Mark
What should someone do who thinks they were hit?
Mimi
Contact Detective Constable Jeffrey Dyrkawec, call police at 416-808-2222, or use Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-8477.
Le Pouls
- Two men allegedly slipped into several Toronto apartments and Airbnb listings over three months by posing as COVID-19 research doctors tied to the CIA and a MARS Research Lab.
- Police say the men used access to these homes to steal and commit identity fraud, though what was taken and how much was lost remains unknown.
- Investigators have named Matthew Dodd, 41, facing nine charges, and Steven Redigonda, 51, wanted for unlawful entry and failing to appear for fingerprints.
- Landlords and hosts are being urged not to sign any rental agreement with either suspect, and police fear more victims may still come forward.
- Anyone with information is directed to Detective Constable Jeffrey Dyrkawec or to Crime Stoppers, while the men's whereabouts and any arrests have not yet been reported.
Toronto police are asking the city's landlords and short-term hosts to stay watchful after two men allegedly spent the early months of 2021 moving through rentals under borrowed names and invented credentials. Between January 20 and April 7, the pair are accused of using deceptive emails and false American identities to win a place to stay, then of using what they learned inside those homes to steal and to commit identity fraud. It is a reminder, as old as shelter itself, that trust extended to a stranger at the door is a generous act that can be turned against the one who offers it. The allegations remain unproven, and the wider picture is still forming.
On a Friday in August 2021, Toronto police issued a notice that reached landlords and short-term rental hosts across the city. Its subject was two men who, they say, spent from January 20 to April 7 renting homes under invented identities.
According to investigators, the men made contact with property owners through a room-sharing platform, writing from deceptive email addresses and presenting fake United States identities that made them look like trustworthy tenants. Their story was unusual: they described themselves as COVID-19 research doctors employed by the CIA and a MARS Research Lab. Police allege that once inside, the men used what they had observed to steal and to commit identity fraud. The release does not say what was taken, how many properties were involved, or what the losses amount to.
Two suspects have been named. Matthew Dodd, 41, of Toronto, is wanted on nine charges, including fraudulently obtaining food and lodging, identity theft, and mischief over $5,000. Steven Redigonda, 51, also of Toronto, is wanted for being unlawfully in a dwelling and failing to appear for fingerprints. Both photographs and physical descriptions have been released.
Police are advising the public not to enter any rental agreement with either man and believe there may be victims beyond those already identified. Anyone with information can contact Detective Constable Jeffrey Dyrkawec or Crime Stoppers anonymously. All charges remain allegations, and police have not said whether either man has been arrested.
Toronto police put out a notice on Friday asking landlords and short-term rental hosts across the city to be wary of two men they say spent months renting homes under invented identities. The allegations cover a stretch from Jan. 20 to Apr. 7, 2021, when, police say, the pair secured several apartments through false pretenses.
According to investigators, the men reached property owners through a room-sharing platform, writing from deceptive email addresses. They also built fake United States identities to help them win a place to stay. Police say the pitch itself was unusual: the men told homeowners they were "COVID-19 research doctors" employed by the CIA and by the MARS Research Lab.
Once they had lodging, police allege, the men used what they had learned about each property to get inside, steal, and commit identity fraud. The release does not say what was taken, how many properties were involved, or how much was lost.
Police have named two suspects. Matthew Dodd, 41, of Toronto, is wanted and could face nine charges, among them fraudulently obtaining food and lodging, identity theft, and mischief over $5,000. He is described as six-foot-one and 180 pounds, with an athletic build and short hair. Police have released his photograph.
Steven Redigonda, 51, also of Toronto, is wanted for being unlawfully in a dwelling and for failing to appear for fingerprints. Police describe him as five-foot-six and 160 pounds, with a thin build and grey hair.
Investigators are advising the public not to enter a rental agreement with either man, and they believe there may be more victims than those already identified. The warning is aimed at landlords and Airbnb hosts, the people most likely to be approached by someone seeking a short or mid-term stay.
Anyone with information can email Detective Constable Jeffrey Dyrkawec at Jeffrey.Dyrkawec@torontopolice.on.ca or call police at 416-808-2222. Tips can also go anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 416-222-TIPS (8477). The charges against both men remain allegations, and police have not said whether either has been arrested.
Citations marquantes
Investigators are advising the public not to engage in a rental contract with either of these individuals and believe there may be more victims.— Toronto police news release
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