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Allegations described here are not proven in court unless stated.
Two Ontario residents are facing criminal charges after a Competition Bureau investigation into online passport services that allegedly led Canadians to believe they were dealing directly with the federal government.
John Jesse Breslin and Phoebe Hui Ting Wong are accused of operating a business under the names Passport Online and Passport Express. The Bureau alleges the websites and online advertisements suggested Canadians could quickly and easily obtain or renew Canadian passports online, including expedited services.
Passport Service Allegations
The Competition Bureau alleges the business used websites and online ads that misled Canadians into thinking they were dealing directly with the Government of Canada for expedited passport services.
The alleged offences took place between 2016 and 2020, according to the Bureau.
Breslin was the owner and main decision-maker of the company, while Wong was a manager, the Bureau said.
The case centres on how passport services were presented online. According to the Bureau, the alleged marketing gave Canadians the impression they could obtain or renew passports quickly through what appeared to be a government-connected service.
Charges Laid By Police
York Regional Police laid the charges on July 22, 2026, on behalf of the Competition Bureau.
Both Breslin and Wong were charged under the deceptive marketing provisions of the Competition Act. They also face Criminal Code charges of fraud over $5,000 and possession of proceeds of crime.
The charges are allegations. The Bureau has said that because the matter involves charges and not convictions, there has been no determination of wrongdoing at this stage.
Competition Bureau Warning
Jeanne Pratt, the Interim Commissioner of Competition, framed the case as part of a broader concern about deceptive practices affecting Canadian consumers.
“Deceiving consumers has significant impacts, with Canadians continuing to lose money to scams and other deceptive practices,” Pratt said in a statement. “The Competition Bureau is taking action to stop those who use misleading tactics to take Canadians’ hard-earned money.”
The Bureau says the Competition Act prohibits companies and individuals from making false or misleading claims to promote a product, service or business interest.
Investigation Drew On Several Agencies
The investigation was conducted with assistance from the Toronto Police Service and included information from the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre and the Better Business Bureau.
The Bureau is encouraging anyone who suspects deceptive or anti-competitive activity to file a complaint through its online form. It also says anyone who is aware of, or has experienced, fraud should contact local police or report it through the federal cybercrime and fraud reporting system.
For Canadians, the allegations land in a familiar and sensitive space: passports are essential documents, and the prospect of faster online service can be especially appealing when travel, family needs or urgent plans are involved. The Bureau’s case alleges that the marketing around Passport Online and Passport Express crossed the line from promotion into deception.
The matter will now proceed through the justice system, where the allegations against Breslin and Wong have yet to be tested.
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