My name is Rhonda Gold. For 30 years, I owned my home on a beautiful half-acre property in Scarborough, Ontario, was my sanctuary. It was filled with happy memories, wonderful neighbors, annual Canada Day celebrations, my beloved dogs (Peanut, Major Bear, and Ryley, who have all since passed), and my passion for baking.

That passion grew into Classic Cakes, a home-based business built on serving my community. A high point of that journey was being deeply honored to win the 2025 Gold Award for Best Cakes in Scarborough.

40 Years of Master Cake Artistry

Recent accolades are simply the latest chapters in a 40-year career. For four decades, I have pushed the boundaries of custom cake design, transforming simple ingredients into celebrated edible art across the Greater Toronto : Building a trusted legacy of mastery, consistency, and skill in custom cake design.

• Early Media Acclaim: Named "Best Birthday Cake" by City Parent magazine early in my career, followed by multiple feature spotlights in Toronto Life magazine And the Bayview post. Which featured an article on the best pies in Toronto, I received  top honour.

• Super Bowl Spotlight: Crafted a custom creation for Sun Life that aired in commercials across Canada and during the Super Bowl.

• Celebrity & Media Trust: Designed custom creations for high-profile figures, including NHL star P.K. Subban when he was first drafted at age 17, as well as custom work for Global News crime reporter Catherine McDonald.

A Lifetime of Dedication Upended by Predatory Lending

I have been dedicated to the baking and pastry industry since I was 13 years old, when I left school to help my parents pay bills before returning to complete my trade. I spent my life mastering everything from artisanal breads to elite, award-winning custom cakes.

My goal was to buy my first home by age 30, which I achieved just two months after my 30th birthday. From that point on, every extra dollar went into upgrading the property into an income-generating space so I could build long-term security. It ran smoothly for 30 years until an unlicensed lender, Sam Kamra, entered the picture, turned tenants against me, and created a toxic environment at my sanctuary.

Now at 60 years old, after a lifetime of hard physical labor and maintaining two properties, the actions of this predatory network have left me surviving on a Canada Pension Plan (CPP) benefit of just $313 a month. At the start of 2024, I suffered a torn rotator cuff that required surgery, only to re-injure it during the heavy lifting and stress of moving.

 While my mental health has been severely tested, I remain determined to rebuild. I want to live the comfortable, modest life I earned and eventually open my dream shop once this legal battle is resolved, rather than spending every day worrying about what comes next.

Exposure and Advocacy: The Julie Patterson Connection

My story took a critical turn when I was contacted by Julie Patterson, a senior law clerk known for her dedicated legal work. After securing a major victory in a parallel case, Julie recognized a systemic pattern and proactively tracked down my situation.

• The Connection: Julie reached out directly to me and my lawyer, Daniel McConville. Having won her previous endorsement, she asked if I was ready to bring my details to light and participate in an exposé to reveal these predatory lending practices.

• Ongoing Advocacy: Since then, Julie has channeled her professional expertise into an ongoing mission to help other victims navigate these complex legal situations.

• Refusing to Back Down: While many victims are forced into silence, Julie noted that I stood my ground. Even though I lost my house, refusing to be intimidated changed the dynamic completely and showed we would not stop fighting.

Exposing the Network: The Investigation and the Victims

Our legal battle is heavily documented and backed by evidence outlining an organized operation. At the center is unlicensed mortgage lender Sam Kamra, operating alongside a network of associates.

• Predatory Paperwork: Senior law clerk Julie Patterson uncovered deeply compromised mechanics in how these deals were executed, including unauthorized expenses added into documents.

• A Flood of Victims: Following the publication of initial coverage exposing these tactics, I became a direct point of contact for numerous other victims facing similar devastating losses.

• A Pillar of Support: Julie has become a rock for this growing community, offering guidance to those who felt completely helpless.

• Demanding Accountability: Based on the evidence gathered, we are pushing to ensure regulatory bodies and law enforcement conduct a full investigation.

The Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario (FSRA) has issued an official consumer warning regarding Sam Kamra due to unlicensed and deceptive mortgage activities, and key details of these predatory practices were documented in coverage by Shane Dingman in The Globe and Mail.

Stalking, Blacklisting, and Forced Relocation

The impact of this situation went far beyond a predatory loan. In 2022, an "assignment of rents" was executed on my property, diverting income needed I used to pay all the bills.

When I attempted to find alternative housing, associates actively interfered with my rental applications, contacting real estate agents to block my approvals. Feeling unsafe and unable to secure a place nearby, I was forced to move an hour north to the Sutton/Jackson's Point area, leaving behind the Toronto community and customer base I built over 30 years.

Systemic Losses and Physical Toll

Before I could finish moving my belongings, my property was locked down without legal authority. During this period, over $100,000 worth of my belongings were removed, including professional commercial mixers, specialized cake pans, essential tools, and an outdoor park-model trailer which he removed its appliances, Furnace Wood Stove air-conditioning oven and equipment accumulated over 30 years.

Legal Steps and Ongoing Delays

The courts subsequently stepped in, issuing orders restricting Kamra from the property and barring the collection of rent assignments. However, further complications with unauthorized occupants arranged by Mr. Kamra, delayed the closing of my property by five months until mid-March . Additionally, malicious unverified negative reviews were targeted at ClassicCakes.ca in an attempt to damage my business reputation, despite formal Cease & Desist notices sent by legal counsel.

With the assistance of my lawyer, Daniel McConville, we have brought these matters before the Ontario Superior Court. While previous rulings favored my position—including an endorsement for funds to assist with relocation—appeals and legal maneuvers have kept the primary funds trapped in court escrow while full proceedings continue.

Why I Need a Bridge Fund Right Now

Resolving these legal claims in full could take significant time. In the interim, my legal counsel is petitioning the court for the release some of the trapped escrow funds so I can maintain stability. Until trial

However, the initial funds awarded for relocation have been exhausted by delays and moving expenses:

• $36,000 was required for a full year of rent upfront due to the severe impact this ordeal had on my credit rating.

• $20,000 went toward the immense physical cost of moving a 30-year household, remaining baking equipment, and outdoor ponds.

I am now living in a home in the Sutton/Jackson's Point area that I love. My landlord has been understanding and reduced my rent to $2,900 a month plus utilities.

I cover my basic utilities and day-to-day living expenses through my CPP benefit, local cake orders through Classic Cakes, and a steady micro-fit solar panel contract on my former property that yields between $200 and $1,200 monthly.

The only gap I cannot cover on my own right now is the $2,900 monthly rent. My prepaid lease expires at the end of October. Without a bridge fund while the court considers the release of escrow funds, I face immediate displacement.

How You Can Help

I am launching this Justice Bridge Fund with a goal of $17,400 to secure exactly 6 months of rent ($2,900/month).

This is a targeted, transparent bridge to keep one of the victims of A predatory lender Animals housed, stable, and working while the Ontario legal system processes the release of my escrow funds. Every dollar raised goes directly toward keeping a roof over my head, keeping my pets safe, and keeping my business active.

Thank you for standing with me. Justice is coming—I just need your help to bridge this final gap.