Durham Regional Police have charged a man with defrauding five women of more than $1 million in what investigators describe as a romance fraud running over five years.
The service says its Financial Crimes Unit began investigating in November 2025 after reports that a man had financially exploited multiple women while in romantic relationships with them. Police allege that between 2020 and 2025 he targeted women seeking companionship, and that victims first met him in social and professional settings including through his dog training business, Friendly K9, and at local fitness facilities.
On Monday, August 31, investigators located the suspect in Ajax and took him into custody without incident.
Salvatore Malandrino, 41, of Marmora is charged with five counts of fraud over $5,000, laundering proceeds of crime, possession of proceeds obtained by crime, two counts of failing to comply with a release order, and uttering a forged document. He was held for a bail hearing. Police note the allegations have yet to be proven in court.
Investigators say they have concerns there are further victims who have not come forward.
Anyone with information, or who believes they may have been affected, can contact Durham Regional Police.
Source: Durham Regional Police Service news release, September 3, 2026.
