Pair of businesses defrauded of $200K, accountant charged: North Vancouver RCMP
A woman has been arrested for allegedly defrauding two businesses of approximately $200,000 while working as an accountant.
North Vancouver RCMP said in a news release Thursday that Squamish resident Allyson Steffensen was charged on Feb. 16 following a “lengthy and complex investigation.”
The investigation began back on July 13, 2019 when a business owner called the RCMP to report a fraud that they suspected was being committed by their accountant.
The offences reportedly took place between May 2018 and June 2019.
Over two years later, on Dec. 21, 2021, a second business owner called North Vancouver RCMP after suspecting their accountant of defrauding the business of a “large sum of money.”
"This was a technically complex investigation," said Cst. Mansoor Sahak in the release. "The length of time required to gather that evidence and present it to BC Prosecution Service offer an example of how complex fraud files can be."
Steffensen has been charged with four counts of fraud over $5,000 and four counts of theft over $5,000.
"Reducing frauds is a priority for us. We have specialized units who use advanced investigative techniques to target these offences. We rely on the community to call us when they feel something is not right," said Cst. Sahak.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Hackers release corporate data stolen from London Drugs
Retailer London Drugs says cybercriminals who stole files from its corporate head office last month have released some of the data after it refused to pay a ransom.
Toronto man falls off his chair after seeing $70M Lotto Max win in his bank account
A Toronto man who won $70 million in a recent Lotto Max draw literally fell off his chair when he saw the funds in his bank account.
Montreal-area high school students protest 'sexist' dress code
Approximately 50 Montreal-area students — the vast majority of them female — were suspended Wednesday after their school deemed the shorts they were wearing were too short. On Thursday, several students staged a walk-out to protest what they believe is a "sexist" dress code that unfairly targets girls.
Oilers' Henrique, Stars' Hintz out for Game 1 of West final
Top-line Dallas Stars centre Roope Hintz will still be out of the lineup for the Western Conference Final opener Thursday night against Edmonton, which is still without forward Adam Henrique.
'Looking over our shoulders': A killing looms large in a little B.C. town
Something shifted in the pretty little village of Lumby, B.C., after Tatjana Stefanski vanished. It used to be the sort of place where parents let their kids roam free or play in the local creek, but everything has changed.
What is 'slapped cheek disease' and should parents be concerned?
Despite its rough name, experts say most cases of 'slapped cheek disease' are mild and not a cause for concern.
American Airlines retreats after blaming a 9-year-old for not seeing a hidden camera in a lavatory
American Airlines has distanced itself from a court filing in which the carrier said a nine-year-old girl should have noticed there was a camera taped to the seat of an airplane lavatory.
Unknown Newfoundland soldier from the First World War heads back home from France after 100 years
Canadian soldiers and government officials arrived in northeastern France this week for a historic mission: returning an unknown Newfoundland soldier back home.
Calgary Philharmonic takes action following investigation into 'deeply troubling' comments by 2 musicians
The Calgary Philharmonic has confirmed its taking action after controversial online comments made by two members of the orchestra.