'Just absolute scum of the earth': Family upset after senior with dementia defrauded by someone posing as care worker
Seventy-nine-year-old William Herbert thought the woman coming to see him was a nurse who needed to do bloodwork.
But instead of helping him, it’s alleged she stole from him.
Herbert, who has dementia, was still living independently with support last March, when his niece received a phone call from a blocked number.
“A woman identified herself as … a nurse from Fraser Health,” explained Laura-Lee Herbert.
The caller said she’d be visiting Herbert's uncle the next day.
Herbert didn’t think much of it.
“We would have care aides that would go in there three or four times a day and we would have nurses from Fraser Health that would attend his residence once or twice a month,” Herbert said.
But a few days later, when she took her uncle to run errands and they stopped at his TD Bank branch in Surrey, she discovered his bank card was missing.
Inside the bank, a teller would explain that there was only $12 left in his account after someone had made three withdrawls.
“I was just flabbergasted,” Herbert said. “Thankfully, it wasn’t a huge amount, but $600 to someone who lives on pension is still $600.”
Herbert said her uncle is one of 21 alleged victims of a woman who police say posed as a care aide and a nurse, stealing from vulnerable seniors.
“This was a very extensive and complex investigation,” said Cpl. Vanessa Munn of the Surrey RCMP.
“In June 2022, the Surrey RCMP Financial Crime Unit launched an investigation following a fraud involving credit cards that were allegedly stolen from an elderly victim in Richmond,” she said.
Thirty-year-old Ana Chamdal is now facing 77 charges and is being held in custody.
“Some of those charges include fraud over $5,000, unlawfully in a dwelling house, assault, possession of forged documents, possession of stolen credit cards,” explained Munn.
All of the alleged victims are seniors.
Seventy-nine-year-old William Herbert thought the woman coming to see him was a nurse who needed to do bloodwork. But instead of helping him, it’s alleged she stole from him.
“We all have those elderly people in our lives that may be a little bit more vulnerable and potentially on fixed income, so being defrauded, it really does have a large impact on them,” she said. “We just want to remind members of our community about the importance of being in touch with your elderly loved ones, knowing who’s in their home caring for them, and you’re making sure you are taking steps to monitor their finances."
Meanwhile, Herbert said she is still battling her uncle’s bank, trying to get back what a fraudster took.
“Someone who does that to seniors, just absolute scum of the earth,” she said.
But more than that, she said the theft has left her elderly uncle afraid of the very health-care workers he now needs around the clock.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'My family doctor just fired me': Ontario patients frustrated with de-rostering
Dozens of Ontarians are expressing frustration in the province’s health-care system after their family doctors either dropped them as patients or threatened to after they sought urgent care elsewhere.
Solar storm puts on brilliant light show across the globe, but no serious problems reported
A powerful solar storm put on an amazing skyward light show across the globe overnight but has caused what appeared to be only minor disruptions to the electric power grid, communications and satellite positioning systems.
'It was violent': Police tear down U of A pro-Palestinian encampment Saturday morning
Multiple people at the protest camp torn down at the University of Alberta campus Saturday say police's actions against protesters were "violent" and "disproportionate."
Edibles, armchairs and adapters: Here are the recalls for this week
Health Canada announced various product recalls this week, including electric adapters, armchairs, cannabis edibles and vehicle components.
'I am angry': Alberta farmers will continue fight over world class motorsport resort
The rolling hills leading to the hamlet of Rosebud are dotted with sprawling farms and cattle pastures -- and a sign sporting a simple message: No Race Track.
Mother's Day movies that pull at ALL the heartstrings
This Mother's Day Weekend, take a look at some of the most emotional movies inspired by moms.
Potentially toxic chemicals hide in our drinking water and countless household objects, and they're not going anywhere
For decades, North Bay, Ontario's water supply has harboured chemicals associated with liver and developmental issues, cancer and complications with pregnancy. It's far from the only city with that problem.
Suspect sought after fatal slashing in downtown Toronto
Police are searching for a suspect in a homicide investigation after a man was slashed in downtown Toronto on Sunday.
Atlanta Hawks win 2024 NBA Draft Lottery, secure No. 1 overall pick
The Atlanta Hawks won the NBA draft lottery on Sunday, landing the No. 1 pick and a potential cornerstone player in a year where there’s no clear-cut choice.