Two Ontario Residents Charged Over Allegedly Misleading Online Passport Services

Canada’s Competition Bureau has announced criminal charges against two Ontario residents following an investigation into online services that allegedly misled Canadians into believing they could quickly and easily obtain or renew Canadian passports online.

The Bureau alleges that John Jesse Breslin and Phoebe Hui Ting Wong operated businesses under the names Passport Online and Passport Express, using websites and digital advertisements that led customers to believe they were dealing directly with the Government of Canada for expedited passport services, when that was not the case.

Both individuals have been charged under the deceptive marketing provisions of the Competition Act for allegedly promoting the services through false or misleading representations.

They also face Criminal Code charges of fraud over $5,000 and possession of proceeds of crime in connection with the alleged scheme.

According to the Bureau, Breslin was the owner and principal decision-maker of the company, while Wong worked as a manager. The alleged offences are said to have occurred between 2016 and 2020.

York Regional Police formally laid the charges on July 22, 2026, on behalf of the Competition Bureau before the Ontario Court of Justice.

The investigation was conducted with assistance from the Toronto Police Service and included information obtained from the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre and the Better Business Bureau.

The Competition Bureau stressed that the case involves allegations only and that no determination of wrongdoing has been made by the court.

Interim Commissioner of Competition Jeanne Pratt said deceptive practices can have serious financial consequences for consumers and that the Bureau is taking action against those accused of using misleading tactics to obtain Canadians’ money.