A Brampton man is facing fraud charges and lawsuits over a fake pre-construction home scheme that left GTA buyers out hundreds of thousands in deposits.
Alleged Real Estate Scam Leaves GTA Buyers in Financial Ruin
A 28-year-old Brampton man is at the center of a growing real estate controversy involving fake home sales, police charges, and lawsuits totaling hundreds of thousands of dollars. Authorities allege Moiz Kunwar accepted deposits for pre-construction homes he had no right to sell — homes actually built by unrelated, legitimate developers.
Now charged with fraud over $5,000 and possession of property obtained by crime, Kunwar is also facing two civil lawsuits from angry homebuyers demanding justice.
Victims Say They Were Misled With False Promises
Among the claimants is Janet Campbell, a grandmother from Brampton who thought she was securing a future for her family when she handed over her savings. She and six others are suing to recover $170,000 in deposits paid to Kunwar between 2022 and 2024.
“He took me to see the site — but it wasn’t even my home,” Campbell told CBC News. After being promised a completed house by January 2025, she gave notice to her landlord. But the home never came. Campbell, her children, and grandchildren were left scrambling for shelter, burning through savings on short-term rentals.
Police and Legal Action Underway
According to Peel Regional Police, the criminal case involves at least one individual who paid deposits for two homes that never materialized. That victim is not part of the civil suits.
While Kunwar has not responded publicly, his lawyer’s court filings deny any wrongdoing, claiming he was merely a sales associate acting under the direction of unnamed “superiors.” The filings suggest he passed payments along and believed all deals were lawful.
Dubious Company Names and Fake Financing Promises
The homes in question were falsely marketed as part of projects by Paradise Developments Inc., a legitimate GTA builder. However, the offers were made under the nearly identical name Paradise Development Homes Limited (PDHL) — a company that does not have permission to sell those properties.
Another layer to the scheme involved a fictitious mortgage provider, Empire Finance, with Kunwar listed as president. Records show that Empire Finance is not a registered corporation or licensed lender in Ontario.
Paradise Developments has publicly stated it has no relationship with Kunwar, PDHL, or Empire Finance.
Fraud Continued Even After Public Warnings
Despite earlier media reports and warnings from realtors, the activity didn’t stop. Lawyer Andrew Ballantyne, who represents Campbell and six other clients, says some victims signed fraudulent deals as recently as 2024 — more than two years after red flags were first raised.
“This isn’t something that stopped after exposure,” Ballantyne explained. “One client signed as recently as May of last year.”
Victims Say Kunwar Was Persuasive and Trustworthy
In one affidavit, a plaintiff describes meeting Kunwar after the 2022 media report and still being convinced of his authority to sell homes. He claims Kunwar dismissed the builder’s denials as part of a “confidential agreement,” and continued to present himself as a legitimate agent. That victim is now seeking to recover $100,000 in deposits.
Lawyers Warn About Common Fraud Tactics
Fraud recovery lawyer Norman Groot, involved in the second lawsuit, says the case fits a pattern he’s seen many times before.
“It’s always the same formula — gain trust, offer urgency, downplay risks, and make it sound like a great deal,” said Groot. “It’s designed to make people let their guard down.”
A Cautionary Tale for Future Homebuyers
For victims like Campbell, the emotional and financial toll has been heavy. She hopes her story can warn others about too-good-to-be-true deals in the fast-paced real estate market.
“It’s hard to trust again,” she said. “I still want to own a home, but how can I believe anyone now?”
