There's never been a better time to Buy BC and support local growers, producers and the food we love right here in BC.  Explore Buy BC products
Government of B.C. Government of B.C. Government of B.C. Government of B.C. BC Gov News
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer
Live Webcast
  • News  
  • News  
  • By Ministry
    • Office of the Premier
    • Agriculture and Food
    • Attorney General
    • Children and Family Development
    • Citizens' Services
    • Education and Child Care
    • Emergency Management and Climate Readiness
    • Energy and Climate Solutions
    • Environment and Parks
    • Finance
    • Forests
    • Health
    • Housing and Municipal Affairs
    • Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation
    • Infrastructure
    • Intergovernmental Relations Secretariat
    • Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation
    • Labour
    • Mining and Critical Minerals
    • Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills
    • Public Safety and Solicitor General
    • Social Development and Poverty Reduction
    • Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport
    • Transportation and Transit
    • Water, Land and Resource Stewardship
  • Subscribe
Live Webcast
By Ministry
  • Office of the Premier
  • Agriculture and Food
  • Attorney General
  • Children and Family Development
  • Citizens' Services
  • Education and Child Care
  • Emergency Management and Climate Readiness
  • Energy and Climate Solutions
  • Environment and Parks
  • Finance
  • Forests
  • Health
  • Housing and Municipal Affairs
  • Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation
  • Infrastructure
  • Intergovernmental Relations Secretariat
  • Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation
  • Labour
  • Mining and Critical Minerals
  • Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills
  • Public Safety and Solicitor General
  • Social Development and Poverty Reduction
  • Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport
  • Transportation and Transit
  • Water, Land and Resource Stewardship

Attorney General

Elderly victim compensated for lotto scam losses

Share

More from this Ministry
Honourable Niki Sharma

Honourable Niki Sharma

Honourable Niki Sharma

Read Bio

Contact

Email: AG.Minister@gov.bc.ca

close menu Attorney General

Introduction of miscellaneous statutes amendment act, 2025

April 29, 2025 10:23 AM
The British Columbia flag waves proudly in front of the province’s historic Parliament Buildings in Victoria.
Government introduced the miscellaneous statutes amendment act, 2025, to the legislative assembly on Tuesday, April 29, 2025.
  Read More

Attorney general’s statutes amendment act introduced

April 14, 2025 1:50 PM
ALL NEWS FROM THIS MINISTRY
More from this Ministry
  • Factsheets & Opinion Editorials
  • Search News
  • Minister's Bio
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer
Print

Attorney General

British Columbia News

Elderly victim compensated for lotto scam losses

https://news.gov.bc.ca/08277

Share

News Release

Victoria
Wednesday, April 22, 2015 10:00 AM

Share

News Release

Victoria

Wednesday, April 22, 2015 10:00 AM

More from this Ministry

  • Factsheets
  • Ministry Website
  • Ministry Photos
  • Ministry Videos

Featured Topics

  • About B.C.'s Justice System
  • Family Justice
  • Family Justice Counsellors
  • Justice Transformation
  • Protection Orders

Featured Services

  • Justice Access Centres
  • Court Services Online
  • BC Family Maintenance Agency

As part of Victims of Crime Awareness Week (April 19-25, 2015) the Province is returning money to an elderly woman who was tricked into giving away her savings by a fake lottery operation.

B.C.’s Civil Forfeiture Office (CFO), working with the Vancouver Police Department (VPD), successfully forfeited a commercial building that was the headquarters of an alleged ring of international fraud artists. The proceeds from this action meant the CFO was able to return more than $70,000 to a 91-year-old California woman scammed by a fake lottery business.

The scam came to light in April 2012 when the VPD’s Financial Crime Unit received an email from police in California that outlined how the woman was led to believe she had won $7.5 million and needed to wire money to a Vancouver bank in order to collect her prize.

After the woman transferred her money to the fake “Australian Government Lottery”, the scammers went underground and she was no longer able to contact them. Further investigation by the VPD led to the discovery that the fraudsters behind the fake lottery scheme were operating out of a commercial building located on Kingsway in Vancouver. That building was forfeited by the CFO in 2014 on the basis that it was funded by, and used for, unlawful activity.

It is not known if anyone else was victimized by the scheme, as the California woman was the only victim to come forward.

Quotes:

Attorney General and Minister of Justice Suzanne Anton -

“Supporting victims of crime is a key focus of our government, and the Civil Forfeiture Office is a driving force in making that possible. No one should be defrauded of their savings, especially someone who should be enjoying her retirement. This is yet another example of what the CFO was set up to do: go after the proceeds of unlawful activity, and return them back to the community and to victims of crime.”

Sergeant Tony Cavezza, Vancouver Police Department Financial Crime Unit -

“Fraudsters prey on people’s hopes and dreams of financial success. The damage they inflict can impact many aspects of someone’s life beyond their wallet. The Vancouver Police Financial Crime Unit is tasked with investigating and ultimately shutting down these enterprises. I am pleased to see that the work by investigators, in concert with the Civil Forfeiture Office, has not only led to criminal charges, but also closed down the operation of an illegal business and forfeited the proceeds of their activity back to victims of crime.”

Quick Facts:

  • B.C. has proclaimed Victims of Crime Awareness Week each year since 2007. The goal of the week is to raise awareness about issues facing victims of crime and the services, programs and laws in place to help victims and their families.
  • National Victims of Crime Awareness Week marks its 10th anniversary this week as well.
  • Since 2006, the CFO has returned more than $21 million from successful forfeiture actions to crime prevention programs and victim compensation. This includes $1.3 million specifically to victims of fraud.
  • The B.C. government commits more than $70 million per year in prevention and intervention services and programs to help families involved in domestic violence and other crimes.
  • Government also supports victims of violent crime through the Crime Victim Assistance Program, established in 2002 to provide financial assistance and benefits to help people recover from the impacts of being victimized. The assistance may include medical or dental expenses, counselling services, protective measures, income support, personal care, and other benefits.

Learn More:

To learn more about the National Victims of Crime Awareness Week: www.victimsweek.gc.ca/abt-apd/index.html

Information about how victims of crime can apply for benefits under CVAP is available at: www.pssg.gov.bc.ca/victimservices/financial

For more information on VictimLink BC supports and services (24 hours a day), call 1 800 563-0808 or visit: www.victimlinkbc.ca/

Media Contacts:

Government Communications and Public Engagement
Ministry of Justice
250 213-3602

https://news.gov.bc.ca/08277

Related Articles

Introduction of miscellaneous statutes amendment act, 2025

April 29, 2025 10:23 AM

Attorney general’s statutes amendment act introduced

April 14, 2025 1:50 PM

Outstanding B.C. lawyers receive King’s Counsel designation

May 6, 2025 11:30 AM
BC Gov News

Connect with the Ministry

Photos

View the Ministry's latest photos on Flickr.

Videos

Watch the Ministry's latest videos on YouTube.

The B.C. Public Service acknowledges the territories of First Nations around B.C. and is grateful to carry out our work on these lands. We acknowledge the rights, interests, priorities, and concerns of all Indigenous Peoples - First Nations, Métis, and Inuit - respecting and acknowledging their distinct cultures, histories, rights, laws, and governments.

Government of B.C. Government of B.C.

We can help in over 220 languages and through other accessible options.   Call, email or text us, or find a service centre.

Connect with Us

  • Subscribe
  • Social and RSS

More Info

  • BC Gov
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy
  • Accessibility
  • Copyright
  • Contact Us

© 2025 Government of British Columbia