Nikhil Sameer Telang, 19, charged after Pickering arrest in counterfeit-money scheme

The 19-year-old Toronto man faces five counts each of fraud under $5,000 and uttering counterfeit money after DRPS identified him with help from a Help Solve a Crime post. He was released on an undertaking; the allegations have not been proven in court.

By Daily Durham News

Oct 2, 2026, 5:09 p.m. ET1 min read

Updated Oct 6, 2026, 3:49 p.m. ET

Aerial view of Pickering, Ontario, with Frenchman's Bay, Lake Ontario and surrounding neighbourhoods. — Aerial view of Pickering, Ontario. Photo: Joe Mabel, Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0). · Credit: Joe Mabel, Wikimedia Commons

Between February and April 2026, the suspect attended a number of stores in Durham Region where he purchased items with counterfeit money, then returned the merchandise at similar stores for genuine money, according to DRPS.

On September 29, 2026, the suspect was identified with assistance from a Help Solve a Crime post and taken into custody in Pickering. Nikhil Sameer Telang, 19, of Toronto is charged with fraud under $5,000 (five counts), uttering counterfeit money (five counts), and possession of property obtained by crime under $5,000. He was released on an undertaking.

DRPS thanked the public for providing information that led to the arrest. The allegations have yet to be proven in court.

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