An Edmonton resident has been handed a 12-month jail term following her admission of guilt in bilking a vulnerable client of over $73,000. Shum Shabat Yousouf, aged 35, acknowledged the charge of defrauding the individual in November 2025 and received her sentence at the Edmonton Court of Justice.

Yousouf, a former program manager and housing worker at Contentment Social Services Foundation (CSSF), a non-profit entity offering assisted-living services, was identified as an authorized representative on the organization’s official records during the trial.

The victim, a 59-year-old man with a diagnosed mental illness requiring daily living support, had engaged CSSF’s services in April 2022. As per their agreement, the man paid $1,450 monthly for accommodation, meals, housekeeping assistance, and transportation to medical appointments.

In early 2023, Yousouf instructed him to obtain bank drafts surpassing his regular monthly fee. She also facilitated his online banking setup, assisting him with a password due to his limited online banking skills. Subsequently, Yousouf illicitly accessed his online banking, initiating unauthorized fund transfers.

Between July and December 2023, Yousouf executed 61 e-transfers from the victim’s account, with 57 deposits totaling $63,445 made to CSSF’s account. Additionally, $3,500 was transferred to a personal bank account. The organization faced financial strain as a result of these transactions.

The fraudulent activities came to light in December 2023 when the victim’s sister discovered his depleted savings. Yousouf initially attempted to conceal her actions, falsely implicating a non-existent employee named “Sabrina Smith.” The victim’s family later terminated their association with CSSF due to outstanding rent payments and potential eviction.

The court was informed that the victim’s life savings had been significantly drained, impacting him and his family. Yousouf’s actions were condemned by the judge, emphasizing the breach of trust and the victim’s vulnerability. Despite Yousouf’s lack of prior criminal history, guilty plea, and expressions of regret, the judge dismissed the defense’s plea for a conditional sentence, highlighting the need for denunciation and deterrence.

Apart from the jail term, Yousouf was instructed to repay $73,598.99 by December 1, 2035, through scheduled restitution payments. She was also mandated to pay $69,295 by August 21, 2037, with any restitution reducing the forfeiture amount. Additionally, a five-year prohibition was imposed on Yousouf, barring her from roles involving financial oversight without disclosing her case’s facts.