A woman who posed as a care aide and defrauded seniors has been sentenced on numerous charges.
On August 26, Ana Chamdal was sentenced to four years in jail, less credit for time served, two years probation, and ordered to pay restitution totaling approximately $60,000.
Between December 2021 and April 2022, multiple seniors in the Lower Mainland were defrauded of funds and had their valuables stolen by a woman posing as a care aid. The Surrey RCMP Economic Crime Unit (ECU) took conduct of this investigation and identified Chamdal as the suspect.
Investigators determined Chamdal attended the residences or care homes of elderly victims under the ruse of providing them health services and support. Upon gaining the trust of these seniors, she obtained their banking information and withdrew funds from their bank accounts and on some occasions, she stole property from them, including cell phones, jewellery and wallets containing cash.
On April 13, 2022, the ECU arrested Chamdal and executed a search warrant on her residence. At that time, she was released on conditions pending further investigation.
On June 29, 2022, the ECU learned that Chamdal failed to comply with her release conditions and she continued to commit fraud and theft related offences. The ECU assumed conduct of a fraud investigation from Richmond RCMP involving a 96-year-old senior. Seven charges were approved and a warrant was issued for her arrest.
On July 15, 2022, White Rock RCMP identified Chamdal as a suspect in a fraud involving a 95-year-old victim in their jurisdiction. The Surrey ECU worked closely with White Rock RCMP on this investigation and later secured charges for this incident as well.
On July 27, 2022, Chamdal was arrested and held for court. She was released on bail with court ordered conditions some of which included:
- Not to engage in any employment that requires you to enter another person’s private residence;
- Not to engage in any employment that requires you to work at a care aid facility or any facility or building that operates or cares for senior adults.
The total financial loss was estimated to be in excess of $60,000. In all, 20 victims were identified in Surrey, Richmond and White Rock.
On January 30, 2023, 65 fraud and assault related charges were approved in connection with the original ECU investigation and another arrest warrant was issued for Ana Chamdal’s arrest. Some of the charges included Fraud over $5000, unlawfully in a dwelling house, assault, theft of credit cards and possession of a forged document. On February 1, 2023, ECU arrested her again and she was remanded in custody until her sentencing.
READ ALSO:
65 more charges laid in fraud investigation involving Surrey care aide
