An Edmonton resident, Shum Shabat Yousouf, aged 35, has received a 12-month jail term following her admission of defrauding a vulnerable client of over $73,000. The sentencing took place at the Edmonton Court of Justice after Yousouf pleaded guilty to a fraud scheme exceeding $5,000 in November 2025.
Yousouf, a program manager and housing worker at Contentment Social Services Foundation (CSSF), a non-profit organization offering assisted-living services, was identified as an authorized representative on the organization’s official records. The victim, a 59-year-old man with a diagnosed mental illness who relied on daily support, had engaged CSSF’s services in April 2022.
Under the service agreement, the victim, Christopher Domoslai, paid $1,450 monthly for accommodation, meals, cleaning, and medical appointment transportation. Yousouf later instructed him to obtain bank drafts surpassing the agreed monthly fee and assisted him in setting up online banking, including a password.
Subsequently, Yousouf accessed the victim’s online banking, executing 61 e-transfers from his account, with 57 deposits totaling $63,445 made to CSSF’s account. Additionally, $3,500 was transferred to a personal account, and $10,650 was paid to a property management company using the victim’s funds.
The fraudulent activities were uncovered in December 2023 when the victim’s sister noticed a significant depletion in his savings. Yousouf initially tried to shift blame by claiming a fictional employee was responsible for the transactions. The victim’s family terminated their association with CSSF in June 2024, revealing the financial strain caused by the fraud.
During sentencing, the judge emphasized Yousouf’s breach of trust and the victim’s vulnerability, citing the extensive and concealed nature of the fraud as aggravating factors. Despite Yousouf’s lack of prior criminal record, guilty plea, and remorse, the judge dismissed the defense’s request for a conditional sentence, highlighting the need for denunciation and deterrence.
In addition to the jail term, Yousouf was mandated to pay $73,598.99 in restitution by December 1, 2035, and $69,295 in forfeiture by August 21, 2037, with provisions for reducing the forfeiture amount through restitution payments. A five-year prohibition was imposed, preventing Yousouf from handling others’ finances or holding authoritative positions without disclosure of her criminal activities.
