Help for Jim and Della
Donation protected
Dad and Della have recently been victims of a con artist. This person has a history that stems 30 years of defrauding elderly and vulnerable populations, and as of 2014, from our knowledge has over a 120 convictions.
How did this happen? We continue to ask ourselves the same.
She became a tenant of Jim (our father) whom expressed interest in purchasing my father's rental property. What started as a small loan to her from my father to assist her, led to her defrauding him and Della of tens of thousands of dollars through false pretences and broken promises - from what we can tell, so far this perpetrator has accrued well over $100,000 over a period of five months.
This criminal did not act alone, she had help with numerous people acting on her behalf, including what we believe to be fake legal and medical documents, fake lawyers, fake real estate agents etc.
It came to a point that any type of money that dad and Della had, would go directly to this perpetrator as she would physically go to their house every other day, while also phoning them constantly throughout the day, every day. They were constantly intimidated and harassed by her and were afraid.
Dad and Della began pulling away from friends and family, became fatigued, hungry, tired and confused. This con took over their lives pretending to care about them, all while isolating and taking charge of them. They found themselves depending on her. Dad and Della would receive their CPP and old age disability for the month, and within two days it would be completely gone and into this criminal's hands.
Jim and Della were barely eating and had not made a single payment to any of their bills including utilities, mortgage, medications etc for at least five months now. Della had been pretty much bedridden the entire time, by the stress of this circumstance and in part to her own health conditions, for which my father was the primary caregiver of.
This lady perpetrator eventually compelled them to sell many and most of their assets including wedding rings and jewelry, tools, their vehicles, and camper. This lady also had arranged for a "real estate agent" to show up at Dad and Della's house, so that he would sign documents giving her full ownership of thier personal home. Thankfully my sister took drastic measures and flew down from Toronto and arrived within minutes prior to this man arriving to the house, sending him on his way.
The RCMP have been involved, peace bond implemented, The tenants presented with thier eviction notice (they have two weeks to vacate). Meanwhile, dad and Della have been removed from the province for their safety in the interim.
We have explored bankruptcy, and have no other choice at this point but to sell all properties to pay back the creditors and family that had graciously lent them money. At the end we do not believe there will be any resources left.
We request help for dealing with this matter in the meantime, as there is going to be simple things like groceries and medications to be purchased, to more complex fees inclusive to lawyer fees, realtor fees and monies owed to get their assets out of default. Also, 4 of their 5 adult children live out of province so will also be needing assistance for flights in the future, so to attend legal matters and any professional or medical matters that will be required.
I have never seen my father in this type of situation before. Never would I ever imagine he would find himself in this kind of situation either. He's a wise, sensitive, kind and pragmatic man, whom had built his life with his own two hands -- all to be undone by the actions of this perpetrator in a matter of months . All of this has been completely out of character for him and Della, and we are asking anyone and everyone who can help to please do so.
Our family sends our many apologies to those whom have been affected by this, and we do not ask you to continue to be burdened by this any further.
Finances have been taken over through legal means via power of attorney and we can ensure all those who are still concerned, no more money will go into the hands of this assaultee. Also, we have not included a photo of dad and Della at this time, due to the sensitive nature of this matter.
Financial abuse to elders is unfortunate and real and largely unreported. Please don't contribute to the stigma. our family requests those who know us to refrain from imposing judgement on the choices made in the last five months.
Most sincerely,
Leslie
How did this happen? We continue to ask ourselves the same.
She became a tenant of Jim (our father) whom expressed interest in purchasing my father's rental property. What started as a small loan to her from my father to assist her, led to her defrauding him and Della of tens of thousands of dollars through false pretences and broken promises - from what we can tell, so far this perpetrator has accrued well over $100,000 over a period of five months.
This criminal did not act alone, she had help with numerous people acting on her behalf, including what we believe to be fake legal and medical documents, fake lawyers, fake real estate agents etc.
It came to a point that any type of money that dad and Della had, would go directly to this perpetrator as she would physically go to their house every other day, while also phoning them constantly throughout the day, every day. They were constantly intimidated and harassed by her and were afraid.
Dad and Della began pulling away from friends and family, became fatigued, hungry, tired and confused. This con took over their lives pretending to care about them, all while isolating and taking charge of them. They found themselves depending on her. Dad and Della would receive their CPP and old age disability for the month, and within two days it would be completely gone and into this criminal's hands.
Jim and Della were barely eating and had not made a single payment to any of their bills including utilities, mortgage, medications etc for at least five months now. Della had been pretty much bedridden the entire time, by the stress of this circumstance and in part to her own health conditions, for which my father was the primary caregiver of.
This lady perpetrator eventually compelled them to sell many and most of their assets including wedding rings and jewelry, tools, their vehicles, and camper. This lady also had arranged for a "real estate agent" to show up at Dad and Della's house, so that he would sign documents giving her full ownership of thier personal home. Thankfully my sister took drastic measures and flew down from Toronto and arrived within minutes prior to this man arriving to the house, sending him on his way.
The RCMP have been involved, peace bond implemented, The tenants presented with thier eviction notice (they have two weeks to vacate). Meanwhile, dad and Della have been removed from the province for their safety in the interim.
We have explored bankruptcy, and have no other choice at this point but to sell all properties to pay back the creditors and family that had graciously lent them money. At the end we do not believe there will be any resources left.
We request help for dealing with this matter in the meantime, as there is going to be simple things like groceries and medications to be purchased, to more complex fees inclusive to lawyer fees, realtor fees and monies owed to get their assets out of default. Also, 4 of their 5 adult children live out of province so will also be needing assistance for flights in the future, so to attend legal matters and any professional or medical matters that will be required.
I have never seen my father in this type of situation before. Never would I ever imagine he would find himself in this kind of situation either. He's a wise, sensitive, kind and pragmatic man, whom had built his life with his own two hands -- all to be undone by the actions of this perpetrator in a matter of months . All of this has been completely out of character for him and Della, and we are asking anyone and everyone who can help to please do so.
Our family sends our many apologies to those whom have been affected by this, and we do not ask you to continue to be burdened by this any further.
Finances have been taken over through legal means via power of attorney and we can ensure all those who are still concerned, no more money will go into the hands of this assaultee. Also, we have not included a photo of dad and Della at this time, due to the sensitive nature of this matter.
Financial abuse to elders is unfortunate and real and largely unreported. Please don't contribute to the stigma. our family requests those who know us to refrain from imposing judgement on the choices made in the last five months.
Most sincerely,
Leslie
Organizer
Leslie Johnson
Organizer
Halifax, NS
