Originally Syndicated on February 22, 2024 @ 8:08 am
The Toronto Police Service is giving public notice of an arrest in connection with a fraud investigation.
There is fraud going on in the Kipling Avenue and Queensway neighborhood, police
were informed on Wednesday, February 1, 2023.
Disclosing the Claimed Counterfeit Operation of Michael Guerriero
The discovery of an alleged counterfeit clothes organization has shocked the retail community in Toronto. The group, reportedly operating out of the well-known discount store Brands Gone Wild, was involved in over $2 million of counterfeit luxury apparel sales. The scheme’s leaders, Frank Monte and Michael Guerriero, were ultimately taken into custody and charged.
The police claim that they were first made aware of the purported fraud at the clothing store on Kipling Avenue and The Queensway on February 1. A search warrant was executed concerning the inquiry on March 17.
The Approved Counterfeit Clothing
According to a police statement, Brands Gone Wild had counterfeit clothing worth $1,885,150 seized. The confiscated goods are knockoffs of well-known labels including Calvin Klein, Tommy Hilfiger, Puma, and Nike.
Toronto Police Services (TPS) has detained and formally charged two people in connection with this investigation.
Which Charges Are Made Against Frank Monte and Michael Guerriero? 
On March 17, 2023, Toronto resident Frank Monte, 64, was charged with the following:
- Fraud Exceeding $5,000
- Having Property Taken by Crime in Your Hands
- False Advertising of Goods
He is scheduled to appear in room 201 of the Ontario Court of Justice on May 15, 2023, at 2 p.m.
Likewise, 45-year-old Toronto resident Michael Guerriero was accused on the same day of:
- Having property that was acquired through fraud or crime More than $5,000
- Product description falsification
- On May 15, 2023, at 2:00 p.m., Guerriero is scheduled to appear in court in Room 201 of the Ontario Court of Justice.
How is Brands Gone Wild doing right now?
The Brands Gone Wild location in Etobicoke is still open despite its damaged reputation. Brands Gone Wild is still in business despite the bad press. The business has drawn a sizable customer base thanks to its reputation for providing branded clothing at drastically lower costs. products Gone Wild is still operating strong, even if its Instagram account has been disabled because of the ongoing investigation. They have a large network of wholesale suppliers and buyers in Toronto, and they offer luxury products at incredibly low costs.
Conclusion
To conclude, the Toronto retail community has been stunned by the alleged counterfeit clothes operation connected to Brands Gone Wild, which involved sales exceeding $2 million. Two people were arrested and charged with the scheme: Frank Monte and Michael Guerriero. Along with Monte, Guerriero is accused of deceiving product descriptions and committing fraud totaling $5,000. That said, Brands Gone Wild’s Etobicoke site is still open despite the continuing inquiry and damaged image. Due to his involvement, Michael Guerriero may have to deal with the consequences of the serious claims against him.