Kitchener woman charged in alleged $2-million EI fraud

The Waterloo Region courthouse is seen on Tuesday, April 23, 2013. (David Imrie / CTV Kitchener)

A Kitchener woman is facing criminal charges in connection with an alleged $2-million fraud case.

According to the RCMP, Phuong Amy Nguyen issued fraudulent and forged employment records, as a result of which more than 230 individuals were able to file false claims for employment insurance.

“She runs a bookkeeping company, and the allegations are that she was using that company to create and submit false records of employment to Service Canada,” RCMP Cpl. Judith Falbo told CTV.

“(She) was filing these claims using these companies’ names, saying that these individuals had worked at these companies, but the companies are totally innocent. These people never worked for the companies and the companies had no knowledge that this was happening.”

In return for the forged documents, Nguyen was paid between $2,000 and $5,000 per client.

RCMP say more than $2 million worth of employment insurance was paid out to Nguyen’s clients over the past five years.

Nguyen, who was arrested Tuesday morning near the intersection of Weber Street and Arlington Avenue, is facing charges of fraud over $5,000, forgery, uttering forged documents and possession of property obtained by crime.

Police say Nguyen’s clients were based in Waterloo Region and the GTA.

Of the 23 companies affected by the case, 21 are said to be based in Waterloo Region.

Service Canada is reviewing the case. Officials with that organization will determine whether criminal charges could be laid against Nguyen’s clients.

Appearing in court Tuesday, Nguyen was remanded into custody until May 1.