British Columbia

Fraud charges laid after money for Surrey school playground goes missing

Surrey RCMP have laid charges almost a year after a Surrey Elementary school reported money missing from the parents advisory council (PAC) bank account.

Alleged fraudster turned herself in on Monday

RCMP have laid charges after investigating the disappearance of funds from the account of the parent advisory council at École K.B. Woodward in Surrey. (Google Maps)

Surrey RCMP have laid charges after a Surrey elementary school reported money missing from the parents advisory council (PAC) bank account.

Thirty-one-year-old Tuyet Ngo of Surrey has been charged with defrauding the École K.B. Woodward Elementary PAC of more than  $5,000, theft over $5,000 and using forged bank statements. 

Ngo turned herself in on Monday after RCMP issued a warrant for her arrest.

The school originally contacted police Sept. 16, 2016, when it reported  $35,000 in missing funds.

The money was raised to finance a new school playground. Undeterred, the community came together and raised the funds again.

"The victims in this incident were the students at K.B. Woodward and the surrounding neighbourhood," said Cpl. Scotty Schumann.

"It was heartening to see businesses, individuals and the K.B. Woodword school community come together afterwards to raise funds to cover the losses." 

Ngo's next court appearance is July 31 in Surrey Provincial Court.