Toronto police say they have received an outpouring of support for a 94-year-old woman who came forward after losing $25,000 of her lifesavings in a scam.
Norma Marshall shared her story at a news conference earlier this week, saying she had lost jewelry, furniture and her life savings in a scam allegedly run by her housekeeper and her husband.
Since coming forward with her story, police tell CTV Toronto that residents from as far as Ottawa have reached out and donated thousands of dollars towards a trust fund set up for the senior.
Toronto-based company Spectrum Health has even offered Marshall free home care for a year.
Police say Marshall is the victim of fraud and elder abuse and say crimes against the elderly are widely underreported.
They are hoping Marshall’s case will help raise awareness about some of the tactics used to target the elderly.
Marshall said she hired her housekeeper Vera Nunes, 32, after her previous caretaker left four years ago.
She said Nunes assisted her in all her daily activities and helped clean her home.
In early 2014, police said the housekeeper told Marshall she'd be moving back to her native country of Portugal and invited the elderly senior to accompany her family.
Marshall agreed and was allegedly "coerced" into helping her housekeeper's family financially with her move.
In March, Marshall said Nunes along with her two children and her husband moved into her home. They allegedly moved the elderly woman into a smaller bedroom and sold off her furniture and jewellery.
Officials began investigating the couple after a pharmacist and a delivery man became concerned about the situation in Marshall's home and notified police, prompting officials to conduct a wellness check.
Nunes and her husband Luis Serpa Da Conceicao Santos, 38, both of Toronto, have been charged with being unlawful in a dwelling.
Police say anyone wishing to donate to the "Norma Marshall trust account" can go do so at their local RBC branch.
