Office of the Premier
A woman nearly killed by arsenic poisoning and rendered quadriplegic is among five people sharing more than $340,000 as a result of a civil forfeiture involving a self-proclaimed "holistic healer" who allegedly promised to bring one client back from the dead.
The defendant, Selena Tsui, has not been charged or convicted in relation to the allegations in the forfeiture case, which settled out of court. The client who suffered grave health effects, identified below as EL, is asking media to respect her privacy and not identify or contact her.
Based on initial reports by EL and concerned family members and friends of hers, Richmond RCMP conducted an extensive investigation. Crown counsel concluded on the basis of evidence available at the time that there was no substantial likelihood of conviction on any criminal charges.
Between 2000 and 2004, Tsui told at least a dozen people that she was qualified to diagnose, prescribe for and treat diseases and ailments, including mental conditions. In fact, she had no formal training and was not registered with any regulatory body for health professionals in B.C.
EL began taking a concoction she believed contained mushrooms and herbs. In fact, tests showed one bottle contained extreme arsenic levels. Respiratory and renal failure, cardiac arrest, paralysis, severe weight loss and other ailments followed. EL was finally rushed to hospital, put on life support and given a five per cent chance of survival. Tests showed severe damage to her nervous systems that doctors deemed likely due to arsenic poisoning.
In all, EL paid Tsui more than $400,000 to treat her and others close to her. Tsui used the funds to help her pay for and maintain two Richmond condominiums that have now been sold. Investigators also found Tsui's boyfriend listed in the ailing woman's will, and believed Tsui was trying to ingratiate herself into EL's life. EL still fears for her safety and remains in poor health, but wanted her story told as a warning to others.
Fictional diagnoses that other clients allegedly received included cancer, scoliosis, liver problems and a "large tapeworm." One person was told they would likely die in a few years due to "parasites."
Quick Facts:
- The five claimants in this case received a pro-rated value of their claimed loss, since at more than $550,000, the value of their claims exceeded the amount forfeited. The CFO has now issued cheques to them.
- Anyone who believes they may have been defrauded under similar circumstances should contact their local police.
- B.C.'s Civil Forfeiture Act allows the Province to pay out compensation to eligible victims of an unlawful activity where there is a direct connection between them and the property forfeited by a particular unlawful activity.
- This particular case brings to about $1 million the total amount that the Civil Forfeiture Office has returned to specific people impacted by unlawful activity over its five-year history.
- B.C.'s civil forfeiture program is one of the oldest among seven provincial ones across Canada.
- B.C.'s program has not lost any of its more than 313 cases concluded to date, which have resulted in more than $25 million in forfeited proceeds.
- Since Jan. 1, 2011, police have referred more than 176 new files for which the office has initiated proceedings. Today, more than 200 cases are ongoing and the net value of assets currently restrained pending resolution of active forfeiture actions is $21.7 million.
- The Civil Forfeiture Office concluded 74 cases in 2010, securing 18 properties, six vehicles and 56 sums of cash.
Learn More:
Read about previous cases where the Civil Forfeiture Office reunited specific victims of unlawful activity with some or all of their lost funds: http://www2.news.gov.bc.ca/news_releases_2009-2013/2011PSSG0075-000674.htm http://www2.news.gov.bc.ca/news_releases_2005-2009/2007PSSG0054-000891.htm
View B.C.'s Civil Forfeiture Act: http://www.bclaws.ca/EPLibraries/bclaws_new/document/ID/freeside/00_05029_01
Contact:
Government Communications and Public Engagement
Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General
250 356-6961
