Toronto man charged after allegedly sending ‘threatening and harassing’ anti-South Asian messages to victim

A Toronto Police Services logo is shown at headquarters, in Toronto, on Friday, August 9, 2019. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christopher Katsarov (Christopher Katsarov/The Canadian Press)

A 37-year-old man from Toronto has been charged after allegedly sending several anti-South Asian text messages and emails that were “threatening and harassing in nature” to a victim, say police.

Toronto police say the suspected hate-motivated offences occurred between Jan. 13, 2023, and Oct. 15, 2024, and were sent from various numbers and email accounts.

“The victim reported this matter to police, and through an extensive investigation, the accused was identified,” Toronto Police Service (TPS) said in a news release.

On Jan. 19, Matthew Santoro, 37, of Toronto, was arrested and charged with harassment by repeated communication with person and uttering threats. He is scheduled to appear in court on March 7.

The investigation is ongoing and anyone with information is asked to contact TPS at 416-808-3500 or Crime Stoppers anonymously.