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Ontario Women Sentenced to House Arrest for Role in Scamming Manitoba Seniors Out of Nearly $90,000
Two Ontario women have received sentences of house arrest for their involvement in a scheme that defrauded nine elderly Manitobans of nearly $90,000 in a scam known as a “grandparent scam.” Gabriel Edith Marie Paradis, 27, from Wallaceburg, Ont., was sentenced to a year-long conditional sentence order in a Winnipeg courtroom on Tuesday, following a jointly recommended sentence. Her co-accused, Vanessa Fatima Alves Dasilva, 20, from Toronto’s North York region, had previously been sentenced to an 18-month conditional sentence order and one year of unsupervised probation.
The Scam: A Deceptive Scheme
The scam unfolded during the summer of 2022 when an unidentified man contacted elderly victims, claiming to be their grandson. He fabricated a story that he had been arrested and needed money for bail, prompting victims to act quickly without verifying the information. Crown attorney Peter Edgett described the women as “money mules,” responsible for collecting cash from unsuspecting seniors. The victims were instructed to place their money in envelopes marked with a “file number.”
One victim withdrew $9,000 from her bank, which Paradis collected. In another incident, Alves Dasilva picked up $11,000 from a couple who were misled into believing their grandson had been involved in a serious car accident. Court proceedings revealed that the scammers had knowledge of the couple’s real grandson’s hockey-playing position, making their story more convincing.
A retired nurse who lost $7,500 expressed in a victim impact statement that the incident shattered her trust and left her feeling “emotionally stunned.” She recounted how the scammers’ urgency clouded her judgment, leading her to believe that her family member was in immediate danger.
Ongoing Investigations and Victim Impact
Authorities eventually executed a search warrant on an Airbnb rental in Winnipeg where the women were staying, uncovering several cash-filled envelopes hidden under a mattress. Fortunately, most of the stolen money has been recovered for the victims; however, the emotional toll remains.
Provincial court Judge Julie Frederickson highlighted the long-lasting effects of the scam, noting that victims grapple with feelings of embarrassment and shattered confidence. “The emotional impact … are implications that go well beyond just the money,” she stated.
Vulnerability and Exploitation
During the court proceedings, both Paradis and Alves Dasilva were described as vulnerable individuals who became entangled in the scam due to their financial hardships. Prosecutor Edgett emphasized how the scammers exploit the vulnerable, relying on desperate individuals to carry out their schemes.
Paradis’s lawyer, Franco Aiello, shared that his client faced a tumultuous upbringing, marked by parental struggles with addiction, and has since battled her own addiction issues. Paradis expressed remorse for her actions during her virtual court appearance, stating her desire to seek drug treatment.
Alves Dasilva’s background was also addressed, revealing a history of trauma and mental health challenges that contributed to her involvement in the scam. She tearfully acknowledged the impact of her actions on the victims, expressing her wish to undo the harm she caused.
Conclusion
This case serves as a stark reminder of the growing threat posed by scams targeting vulnerable populations, particularly seniors. As law enforcement continues to investigate the broader operation behind these scams, it’s crucial for communities to remain vigilant and educate themselves about such fraudulent activities. The emotional scars left on the victims illustrate the profound impact of financial exploitation, prompting a need for increased awareness and protective measures.
Source: Swifteradio.com
