London

Man charged after numerous London, Ont., residents defrauded of nearly $2M, police say

A London, Ont., man faces charges after 18 people were defrauded of nearly $2 million, police say.

A complainant told police an investment from 2003 was missing

The London Police Service (LPS) says Robert Randall Hawken, 66, of London, Ont., has been charged of defrauding at least 18 people through his services as a financial advisor.
The London Police Service (LPS) says Robert Randall Hawken, 66, of London, Ont., has been charged with defrauding at least 18 people through his services as a financial adviser. (Ben Nelms/CBC)

A London, Ont., man faces charges after 18 people were defrauded of nearly $2 million, police say.

A victim first contacted the London Police Service (LPS) early this year after realizing that a large sum of money the individual had invested with a financial adviser dating back to 2003 was missing. The financial adviser was said to have collected investments from a number of people, police said, but did not invest the money obtained. 

Through the course of the investigation, the LPS financial crime unit determined a total of 18 people were defrauded of a total of around $1,988,000.

Robert Randall Hawken, 66, of London, has been charged with: 

  • Fraud over $5,000.
  • Possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000.

The accused was arrested Thursday and is expected to appear in London court at a later date in October in relation to the charges.