An Edmonton resident has received a 12-month jail term after admitting to defrauding a vulnerable client of over $73,000. Shum Shabat Yousouf, 35, pleaded guilty to fraud exceeding $5,000 in November 2025 and was sentenced at the Edmonton Court of Justice last Friday.
Yousouf, who worked as a program manager and housing worker at Contentment Social Services Foundation (CSSF), a non-profit organization offering assisted-living services, was authorized on the organization’s corporate registry records. The victim, a 59-year-old man with a diagnosed mental illness, entered into a service agreement with CSSF in April 2022, paying $1,450 monthly for accommodation, meals, and other services.
Yousouf directed the victim to obtain bank drafts for amounts surpassing his monthly fee starting in early 2023. She accessed his online banking, making unauthorized money transfers. Over six months, she sent 61 e-transfers totaling $63,445 to CSSF’s account and $3,500 to her personal account. The organization faced financial strain due to insufficient funds after the transfers.
The fraud was discovered in December 2023 when the victim’s sister found his savings drastically reduced. Yousouf initially tried to blame a fictional employee for the transactions. The victim’s family ended his association with CSSF in June 2024 after discovering unpaid rent and imminent eviction.
During sentencing, the judge highlighted Yousouf’s breach of trust and the victim’s vulnerability, emphasizing the seriousness of the crime. Yousouf, who had no prior criminal record, expressed remorse, made partial restitution payments, and pleaded guilty. The judge rejected a conditional sentence, emphasizing denunciation and deterrence.
In addition to the jail term, Yousouf was ordered to pay $73,598.99 in restitution by December 1, 2035, through scheduled payments. She must also pay $69,295 by August 21, 2037, with any restitution reducing the forfeiture amount. A five-year prohibition was imposed, preventing Yousouf from handling others’ finances without disclosure.