Hamilton man wanted after woman lured into sex trafficking from dating app: police

Published December 24, 2020 at 10:19 am

A warrant has been issued for a Hamilton man known to frequent the GTA.

Daniel Kaniki, 25, is wanted by the Durham Region Police Service in a human trafficking investigation. One male, 22-year-old Sydney Bunkuna of Toronto, has already been arrested in connection.

On Nov. 17, members of the DRPS Human Trafficking Unit made contact with a 19-year-old female victim who said she was being forced to work in the sex trade and all of her money was being taken by the two suspects.

The victim met Bunkuna on a dating app and was brought to various hotels across Ontario, according to police. They say the second suspect, Daniel Kaniki, was involved in the process.

On Nov. 19, Bunkuna was located and arrested without incident in Mississauga. He was charged with:

  • Trafficking in Persons by Exercising Control
  • Financial Benefit Trafficking Person Over 18 Years of Age
  • Obtaining Sexual Services for Consideration
  • Material Benefit from Sexual Services
  • Procuring/Exercising Control
  • Recruit Person to Provide Sexual Services for Consideration
  • Advertising Another Person’s Sexual Services

Through the course of the investigation, police say Kaniki (also known as “King” and “King Tallaz”) was identified and a warrant was issued for his arrest.

He is wanted for:

  • Procuring Person to Provide Sexual Services for Consideration; Financial Benefit Trafficking Person Over 18 Years of Age
  • Material Benefit from Sexual Services; Trafficking in Persons by Exercising Control
  • Obtaining Sexual Services for Consideration
  • Advertising Another Person’s Sexual Services

Kaniki is described by police as a 6-foot-4 black male, weighing 170-pounds with short, black hair, and a short beard.

Anyone with information about his whereabouts, or anyone with new information about this investigation is asked to contact D/Cst. Belanger of Durham’s Human Trafficking Unit at 1-888-579-1520 ext. 5602.

Anonymous information can be sent to Durham Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). Tipsters may be eligible for a $2,000 cash reward.

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