Woman charged with embezzlement

The Calgary Police Service Economic Crimes Unit has charged a woman with theft, fraud and money laundering following a lengthy investigation.

It is alleged that between approximately June 12, 2008 and March 11, 2014, a woman employed by four companies embezzled approximately $1.2 million. The woman is believed to have written approximately 185 cheques to herself while using a signature stamp as authorization. She is also believed to have made unauthorized purchases and cash withdrawals using multiple corporate credit cards in her name.

The thefts were discovered in March 2014 when the corporations’ bank noted unusual activity on the accounts and alerted the company. The frauds are believed to have occurred over the span of six years.

Two public companies and two private companies were negatively impacted as a result of these frauds and none of the funds were recovered.

On Wednesday, May 2, 2018, Colleen Fay DHUGA, 50, of Kelowna, B.C., was charged with one count of fraud over $5,000, one count of theft over $5,000, and one count of laundering proceeds of crime. DHUGA is next scheduled to appear in court on Monday, June 4, 2018.

Case #14233809