Deceit, identity theft and bigger breasts will cost jailed fraudster over $17K

KAMLOOPS – After stealing an 83-year-old man’s identity to use as a co-signer on breast implants, a tummy tuck and liposuction, a local woman owes more than $17,000 along with nine months in jail, a Kamloops Provincial Court Judge decided today, June 23.

Judge Len Marchand sentenced Brandie Bloor, a woman with a history of forgery and fraud convictions, after the 39-year-old pleaded guilty to fraud over $5,000 and identity theft last month.

Bloor completed the cosmetic procedures in November 2013 after using the man’s name and identity to obtain a $15,000 loan to pay for them. She made the first payment, but after failing to make subsequent payments, her co-signer which she listed as her grandfather received a letter from the loan company.

Confused, the man contacted the RCMP. But after speaking with investigators, Bloor convinced officers she also was an identity theft victim.

“Efforts to mislead the police (and) ongoing deceit took time away from other investigations,” Marchand said.

Police obtained a warrant to search Bloor’s home where officers found before and after photos of the accused and a paper trail connecting her to the surgeries. Marchand said Bloor falsely claimed she worked as an escort and earned the surgeries by providing her co-signer with massages.

Marchand agreed with Crown prosecutor Katie Bouchard’s sentiment that Bloor was motivated by aesthetics.

“(The) circumstances would be quite different if they were medical surgeries,” he said.

Marchand imposed a nine-month sentence on Bloor — the minimum of Crown’s request for nine to 12 months. Defence requested a four- to six-month jail term.

With time served, Bloor has 151 days remaining on her sentence. Marchand imposed a two-year probation to follow Bloor’s release in which she is not permitted to take out a loan in any name other than her own and communicate with her probation officer before taking out a loan. The judge ordered her to pay $17,790.86 in restitution to the 83-year-old man, whom she is not permitted to contact.

“You’re very articulate and resourceful. If you apply yourself to healing and staying on the straight and sober path, there’s no reason that you can’t be a law abiding member of the community,” Marchand said.

To contact a reporter for this story, email Glynn Brothen at gbrothen@infonews.ca, or call 250-319-7494. To contact the editor, email mjones@infonews.ca or call 250-718-2724.