Can my mother get any of her money back that she lost as a result of the fraud?

When a person is sentenced for a criminal offence, the judge can consider a request for restitution or compensation from a victim. The restitution or compensation will relate to losses suffered as a result of the crime. It can include such losses as stolen property, lost wages, and moving costs. The request has to be made before a judge sentences the offender, so it is important that the prosecutor have all the necessary information before sentencing.

In addition, most provinces have a fund to compensate victims of crime. Often compensation is only payable for injuries or death rather than financial losses. Some statutes, however, set up schemes to compensate victims of financial crimes. The provincial government office will know what options are available to your mother.

Another possible route is to sue a person for compensation in the civil courts. If an offender doesn't pay any money ordered by a court, whether as a result of criminal or civil proceedings, there are other court processes your mother can use to try to recover the money.

---

January 2006

see also:

• More Abuse of Older Adults FAQs

Back