28-Year-Old Male Arrested in Connection with Ongoing Human Trafficking Investigation

By Niagara Regional Police Service - Jul 06, 2026

Media Releases

In July 2026, detectives with the Niagara Regional Police Service (NRPS) Human Trafficking Unit (HTU) began an investigation into the trafficking of a woman within the Niagara Region. As a result, police were able to identify a male suspect.

Following an investigation by detectives with the HTU and with the assistance of 2 District uniform officers (Niagara Falls/Niagara on The Lake), on July 6, 2026, 28-year-old Syed SHAH of St. Catharines was arrested in the city of St. Catharines.

SHAH has been charged with the following Criminal Code offences.

Procuring
Assault
Mischief Under $5000

SHAH remains in custody pending a bail hearing on Monday, July 6, 2026, at the Robert S.K. Welch Courthouse in the City of St. Catharines.

Detectives believe that there may be other victims and are asking anyone who believes they may be a victim, or knows of anyone who has had an interaction with SHAH, who is also known as “FABS” to contact them at (905) 688-4111, dial option 3, ext 1029571.

Survivors of Human Trafficking are encouraged to contact the Canadian Human Trafficking Hotline by calling 1-833-900-1010 or on the internet CLICK HERE. This is a 24/7 confidential support resource available in over 200 languages.

Human Trafficking means every person who recruits, transports, transfers, receives, holds, conceals, or harbours a person, or exercises control, direction or influence over the movements of a person, for the purpose of exploiting them or facilitating their exploitation, for a sexual purpose or forced labour purpose. Victims can be men, women, or children; can be Canadian citizens; and can be moved across local, provincial, or national borders. They can be coerced through violence or the threat of violence against family and friends.

For more information about community support options for survivors of Human Trafficking and the Niagara Regional Police Service’s efforts to combat Human Trafficking CLICK HERE.

Members of the community who wish to provide information anonymously can contact Crime Stoppers of Niagara online or by calling 1-800-222-8477(TIPS). Crime Stoppers offers cash rewards to people who contact the program with information which leads to an arrest.

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