Ottawa police
have charged two women in connection with an inheritance scam targeting a number of people.
Police said they received nine reports between 2023 and 2025 from people who said they were told they would receive a large inheritance, but only if they first paid outstanding taxes.
Victims were asked to provide money to pay the outstanding taxes with the promise that it would be repaid in full, along with significant returns, once the estate was released.
The suspects impersonated legal professionals and presented forged documents to make the scheme appear legitimate.
None of the money was returned.
The financial crimes unit has charged 52-year-old Sheri White with:
- Two charges of unauthorized use of credit card data
- Two charges of obtain by false pretence
- Conspiracy to commit an indictable offence
- Four counts of fraud under $5,000
- Two charges of fraud over $5,000
- Five counts of forgery
- Three counts of identity fraud.
And 58-year-old Dina Pisani is charged with:
- Conspiracy to commit an indictable offence
- Four counts of fraud under $5,000
- Two counts of fraud over $5,000
- Five counts of forgery
- Three counts of identity theft
Anyone with more information on the investigation is asked to contact the OPS financial crimes unit at 613-236-1222, ext. 5292.
Anonymous tips can be submitted to Crime Stoppers toll-free at 1-800-222-8477 or online at
crimestoppers.ca
.
If you believe you have been a victim of this type of fraud, please report it to the Ottawa Police Service at 613-236-1222, ext. 7300.
