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
B.C. serial killer Robert Pickton dead following prison attack
Convicted B.C. serial killer Robert Pickton, who preyed on women he lured from Vancouver's Downtown Eastside to his rural pig farm, has died.
2 children among 5 people hospitalized after head-on crash on Hwy. 417 in Ottawa's west end
Two young children and three adults were seriously injured in a major collision on Highway 417 between Palladium Drive and Carp Road in Ottawa's west end Friday afternoon.
DND moving 1,000 employees out of Ottawa office building due to safety concerns
The Department of National Defence is moving approximately 1,000 employees out of an office building in Ottawa's Lowertown neighbourhood, citing safety concerns for its employees.
Baby dead after being delivered via emergency C-section to woman who was in police custody
A newborn is dead after being delivered via emergency C-section to a woman in police custody.
Jennifer Lopez cancels summer tour: 'I am completely heartsick and devastated'
Jennifer Lopez has cancelled her 2024 North American tour, representatives for Live Nation confirmed to The Associated Press.
Fast food chain value deals ramp up in the United States: What does it mean for Canada?
After years of price increases and a decline in customers, fast food chains in the United States are competing with each other and offering value deals in hopes of bringing more foot traffic into their establishments.
This Calgary home has a giant tree in the middle, and it's for sale
There's a luxury 'tree home' for sale in Calgary.
Marian Robinson, mother of Michelle Obama, dies at 86
Marian Shields Robinson, the mother of Michelle Obama who moved with the first family to the White House when son-in-law Barack Obama was elected president, has died. She was 86.
'We will go with the majority': Liberals slammed by opposition over proposal to delay next election
The federal Liberal government learned Friday it might have to retreat on a proposal within its electoral reform legislation to delay the next vote by one week, after all opposition parties came out to say they can't support it.