Canadian Fugitive Wanted in Desjardins Data Breach Investigation Arrested in Mexico

A Quebec man who had been wanted for more than two years in connection with investigations surrounding the major Desjardins data breach has been arrested in Mexico, provincial police confirmed Thursday.

The Sûreté du Québec said 40-year-old Maxime Paquette was detained by Mexican authorities in Cancun after remaining wanted since June 2024.

Suspect Was Among Quebec’s Most Wanted Fugitives

According to provincial police, Paquette had been included on Quebec’s list of most wanted fugitives.

Authorities had been searching for him in relation to alleged criminal activity involving personal information connected to the Desjardins privacy breach.

Following his arrest, Paquette is expected to remain in custody in Mexico while officials begin the extradition process to bring him back to Canada.

Fraud and Identity Theft Charges Await in Canada

Once returned to Canada, Paquette is expected to face several criminal charges.

These include fraud exceeding $5,000, identity theft and trafficking in identity information.

Police did not immediately provide a timeline for the extradition proceedings or confirm when Paquette may appear before a Canadian court.

Arrest Connected to Portier and Project D Investigations

The investigation was conducted by the criminal investigations division of the Sûreté du Québec.

It formed part of two major police operations known as the Portier investigation and Project D.

Both investigations focus on the theft, use and distribution of personal information obtained through the Desjardins data breach.

The incident has been described as one of the largest privacy breaches ever recorded in Canada.

Nearly 10 Million People Affected by Desjardins Breach

The Desjardins breach exposed sensitive personal information belonging to almost 10 million members and clients.

The compromised data was taken and circulated between 2017 and 2019.

The scale of the breach triggered multiple investigations into how the information was accessed, distributed and potentially used for fraud or identity-related crimes.

International Cooperation Led to Cancun Arrest

The Sûreté du Québec credited Mexican authorities and several Canadian and international law enforcement agencies for helping locate and arrest Paquette.

The organizations involved included Interpol, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, the Quebec City police service, Mexico’s Criminal Investigation Agency, the Mexican Navy and law enforcement officials in Cancun.

Police said cooperation between these agencies played an important role in bringing the long-running search to an end.

Extradition Process Now Underway

Paquette will remain detained in Mexico while legal proceedings begin to extradite him to Canada.

Extradition cases can involve coordination between courts, government departments and law enforcement agencies in both countries.

Once the process is completed, Paquette is expected to answer the charges connected to the investigation in Quebec.

The arrest of Maxime Paquette marks a significant development in the continuing investigations linked to the Desjardins data breach. His capture in Cancun followed more than two years of searching and required cooperation between authorities in Canada and Mexico.

Paquette now remains in Mexican custody as extradition proceedings move forward. The case also highlights the lasting legal and security consequences of one of Canada’s largest-ever privacy breaches.