SURREY, B.C. — Police say a British Columbia woman who posed as a care aide and defrauded seniors has been sentenced to four years in jail, less time served, as well as two years of probation.

A statement from Surrey RCMP says 20 victims were identified in Surrey, Richmond and White Rock, and the woman has been ordered to pay about $60,000 in restitution.

Police say Ana Chamdal attended the residences or care homes of elderly victims under the ruse of providing them health services, then obtained their banking information and withdrew funds from their accounts.

Investigators say she also stole cellphones, jewelry and wallets before she was arrested in April 2022 and released with conditions.

But police say she continued to target seniors and she was rearrested for offences against a 96-year-old in Richmond and a 95-year-old in White Rock, and on Feb. 1, 2023, she was remanded in custody.

Online court records show Chamdal was sentenced on more than 30 charges in Surrey Provincial Court on Monday, including fraud over $5,000, being unlawfully in a dwelling, unauthorized use of a credit card and using a forged document.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 30, 2024.

The Canadian Press