Police arrest Vancouver notary over ponzi scheme worth as much as $40 million

VANCOUVER – A former notary public from Vancouver is facing 28 counts of fraud and theft over an alleged ponzi scheme that police say bilked investors out of as much as $40 million.

The charges against 60-year-old Rashida Samji involve 14 victims who allegedly invested $17 million, but police say there may be as many as 100 victims

An investigation by the RCMP's Federal Serious and Organized Crime division found that most of the money was invested between 2006 and 2012.

Samji was arrested without incident while leaving her residence Nov. 7, one day after the charges were sworn.

She's been released on a $100,000 bond and 13 bail conditions.

Samji is also facing a civil class-action lawsuit in B.C. Supreme Court, and one court document states about 96 investors have launched legal action against over a loss of $22.7 million.