The Ontario Provincial Police issued an arrest warrant for a man from Ottawa accused of receiving COVID-19 small business relief funds through fraud.

This concerns relief funds provided by the Ontario government to businesses that lost revenue during the mandatory pandemic lockdowns.

One man from Ottawa and four people from Ajax, Ont. were flagged as suspects and the Serious Fraud Office of the Attorney General is investigating.

The office said in a press release on Monday, "The accused parties allegedly submitted applications for various government relief funds through fictitious or ineligible companies to receive payments into their bank accounts." "The grants exploited are: Ontario Small Business Support Grant, Property Tax Program, and Energy Cost Discount Program."

Kevin Lee, 50, from Ottawa, is charged with fraud over $5,000 and breach of a court order.

The police stated that Lee was released but failed to attend court on several scheduled dates, so a warrant was issued for his arrest.

The accused from Ajax, Ontario, aged between 21 and 47, face a variety of fraud and possession of property obtained through crime charges. The OPP says these individuals are scheduled to appear in court in Oshawa in August.