GTA man acting as 95-year-old’s Power of Attorney accused of stealing $900K from elderly victim

The Durham Regional Police East Division building is shown in Bowmanville, Ont. on Saturday March 15, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Doug Ives

A GTA man acting as a Power of Attorney for an 95-year-old has been charged with fraud after police allege he transferred $900,000 of the elderly man’s money into his own personal account.

According to police, Durham Regional Police Service began looking into the suspect in April 2025.

“Investigators determined the suspect had transferred over $900,000 in funds from the victim’s account without the victim’s knowledge or consent,” police said in a news release issued Tuesday.

The suspect was arrested on June 22 without incident, police said.

The identity of the suspect is being withheld to protect the identity of the victim, investigators noted.

The accused, a 62-year-old man from Whitchurch-Stouffville, has been charged with theft by person holding Power of Attorney, theft over $5,000, and possession of proceeds of property obtained by crime over $5,000.

Police are asking anyone with information about the case, or similar incidents, to contact Det.-Const. Carquez at 1-888-579-1520, ext. 5618.

“The Durham Regional Police Service’s Older Adult Support and Investigative Services Unit (OASIS) is actively investigating a growing number of concerns involving our older adult community,” the news release continued.

“The OASIS Unit has received multiple reports of thefts committed by individuals holding Power of Attorney (POA). These reports suggest that some older adults are being taken advantage of by loved ones entrusted as Attorneys for Property and/or Personal Care.”