A man who taught at a Toronto mosque is facing sexual assault charges and police are alleging there could be more victims in other countries.

Police say Mohammad Masroor, 48, has been charged with 13 offences, including sexual assault and threatening death.

The charges are related to offences alleged to have taken place between Nov. 1, 2008, and July 28, 2011. Masroor is the imam at the Baitul Mukarram Islamic Society on Danforth Avenue, and has taught there, in his home and in Florida, Michigan and Bangladesh.

Investigators believe there may be more alleged victims as the suspect has travelled internationally.

Det.-Const. Karen Armstrong told a news conference the charges involve five alleged victims.

Armstrong says Masroor is in a position of authority and alleges he has used that to his advantage.

CBC News reporter John Lancaster said Toronto police are reaching out across borders to investigate the case.

"Police say it’s a case fraught with cultural sensitivities and this is an individual who had power over these young people," Lancaster said on CBC News Network Wednesday.

“So what began as a fairly localized investigation has now spread internationally and around the globe."