Woman charged for allegedly defrauding Edmonton small businesses

Edmonton police say a 31-year-old woman has been charged with allegedly defrauding several businesses around the city.

EPS says since January, they’ve received reports of fraud from five small businesses.

During the reported incidents, it is believed that a woman would solicit various businesses, offering goods and services, including a chiropractor, a restaurant, and a home organization company.

Reports also indicate that the woman would pay for items and services with fraudulent forms of payment, including a stolen credit card, a defunct credit card and cheques with insufficient funds in the bank account, which would lead to the company later asking for acceptable payment, to which the women would allegedly say she would use e-transfer, before never sending the money.

Police say that two of the companies that have been defrauded have lost over $10,000.

An investigation is ongoing, and police do believe that there may have been more companies that have been defrauded.

“According to the City of Edmonton, approximately 95 per cent of the 38,000 businesses in Edmonton are small businesses,” says Cst. Olivia Miciak with the EPS’ Southwest Branch.

“As these companies and their owners continue to contribute to the fabric of our local economy, the EPS is focused on ensuring that they are treated fairly, including receiving the payments they are promised when they provide their products or skillsets to a customer. We believe there are other small business owners who have been negatively impacted by these acts of fraud, and we are encouraging them to contact us immediately.”

Kelsey Elliott, 31, has been charged in connection with two of the defrauding incidents. Her charges include fraud under $5,000, fraud over $5,000, theft, and breach of probation.

Anyone who has any additional information is asked to contact investigators at 780-423-4567.