Monday, April 30, 2018
Fraud – Arrest: R17-26037
After an extensive investigation, Financial Crime Unit members have recently made the arrest of Mike Knysh, who was employed in the Funeral Services Industry in the Province of Manitoba as a licensed Funeral Director/Embalmer from October 4, 1995 until December of 2015.
Knysh owned and operated Knysh Funeral Chapel located at 661 Fife Street, which was licensed with the Funeral Board of Manitoba from 1998 to 2012 and included a location in Beausejour from 2012 to March 13, 2013 (at which time it was destroyed by a fire).
During these times, it was a requirement of the Public Utilities Board (PUB) that any funeral home selling pre-arranged funeral trusts must be licensed by the PUB. This requirement remains in effect today under the Funeral Board of Manitoba.
Investigators identified nine victims who had purchased pre-arranged funeral plans from Knysh between January 28, 2000, and August 2015, and whose funds were not held in trust as should have been the case. The funds are believed to have been stolen and the total amount taken from the victims was $35,000.
Knysh was also engaged in selling pre-arranged funeral insurance plans, which were held and administered by several different insurance company providers. On thirteen different occasions between January 14, 2004, and December 2, 2014, fraudulent Funeral Director's Statement of Death's were created for individuals who were not deceased. In total, $83,000 was collected between the thirteen insurance policies.
On April 27th, 2018, Knysh was placed under arrest. He has been charged with:
- Fraud over $5,000 (x4)
- Fraud under $5,000 (x7)
- Forgery (x13)
Knysh has been released from custody with conditions.
The Winnipeg Police Service would like to advise the public that if they have any concerns regarding any pre-paid or pre-arranged funeral plans, that they should contact the Funeral Board of Manitoba.
Fire Investigation: C18-87130
On April 29, 2018, at approximately 2:30 p.m., general patrol members from the East District Station were in the area of Martha Street and Henry Avenue when they observed smoke in the area. As they searched for the cause officers notified members of the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service who were also in the area on an unrelated call.
Upon approaching the Disraeli Freeway the officers observed flames and black smoke billowing out of the top floor of a multi-suite residential building in the first 100 block of Lily Street.
The officers entered the three-story building and began advising residents to leave. One resident advised that there was possibly a female still in a suite on the top floor. One of the officers entered the third floor which was filled with black smoke and began yelling out to anyone left with no response. As a result of the heavy smoke, the officer began to experience difficulty breathing and began to descend to the main floor, exiting the building.
An unidentified male who was previously removed from the residence ran back into the building to search for someone he believed to still be inside. Division 11 general patrol members followed and removed him from the residence.
As a result, three officers suffered complications from smoke inhalation. Two of the officers were treated at the scene and the third was transported to hospital where he was treated and later released.
This investigation is continuing by members of the Major Crimes Unit. Anyone with information that may assist investigators is asked to call 204-986-6219 or Crime Stoppers at 204-786-TIPS (8477).
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