Multiple charges laid in a 17 million dollar ponzi scheme investigation
By Contributor
RCMP Federal Serious and Organized Crime (FSOC) supported by the Vancouver Police Department commenced an investigation in February 2012 into a multi-million dollar ponzi scheme.
It is alleged that between January 1, 2010 to August 31, 2012, approximately $40,000,000 was obtained fraudulently from over 100 victims.
Charged with 28 counts of fraud and theft is Rashida SAMJI (female) a 60 year old former Notary Public of Vancouver BC. These charges represent $17 million dollars that was allegedly defrauded from 14 individuals between 2006 and 2012. This is part of a larger fraud that allegedly stretches back to 2003. SAMJI is a prominent figure in the South Asian community in Vancouver and had attracted numerous investors.
On November 6, 2013, the 28 charges of fraud and theft were sworn against SAMJI and on November 7, 2013 Samji was taken into custody without incident while leaving her residence.
Samji was released on a $100,000.00 no deposit surety and 13 bail conditions.
“This was a lengthy complex investigation and its success would not have been achieved without the cooperation of the Vancouver Police and support given by investigators from the BC Securities Commission” says Superintendent Derek Simmonds, OIC Federal Serious and Organized Crime Operations and Financial Integrity.
“This investigation successfully dismantled a fraud scheme which had victimized numerous people. The outcome is a product of very thorough work completed by the Financial Integrity investigators coupled with the support provided by partner agencies,” says Supt. Simmonds.
