Two people are facing more than a dozen fraud and forgery charges following an investigation into thousands of dollars allegedly stolen from a non-profit group in Abbotsford, B.C. The investigation began on June 18, 2025, after a representative of the Cedar Outreach Society identified irregularities while reviewing the organization’s financial records, the Abbotsford Police Department said in a news release Friday. It was found that more than $11,000 was fraudulently taken from the society through the use of forged and falsified cheques, investigators said. Police said several cheques were altered and deposited into bank accounts not associated with the society—which supports people struggling with poverty, homelessness and substance use—between February and September of last year. Police identified the suspects as Matthew Wittick, 42, and Kristina Warkentin, 41, saying the pair face a combined total of 16 fraud and forgery-related offences. Court records show the pair were charged on Oct. 23 and subsequently released from custody. The charges range from using a forged document to fraud under $5,000. Sgt. Paul Walker says the impact of such cases on the non-profit sector “extends far beyond a balance sheet” and into the wider community. “Every dollar lost can reduce the ability of organizations like the Cedar Outreach Society to provide essential housing supports and homelessness prevention services to some of Abbotsford’s most vulnerable residents,” Walker said in a statement. “These offences undermine public trust and divert resources away from those who need them most.” The suspects are scheduled to appear in court in Abbotsford on Nov. 16.
