Since January 2025, police received multiple reports of fraud from approximately five small businesses in Edmonton. In each incident, it was reported that the female would solicit goods and services from an array of local businesses, including a chiropractor, restaurant and a home organization company. She then reportedly pays for these items and services with fraudulent forms of payment, including a stolen credit card, a defunct credit card and cheques with insufficient funds in the bank account. After being contacted by the company owners for an acceptable form of payment for these outstanding invoices, the female promises to pay via e-transfer but never sends the money. To date, two of these complainants have lost over $10,000. Police are continuing to investigate the other reports.
Police have since identified Kelsey Elliott, 31, as the accused in two of these incidents and she has subsequently been charged with fraud under $5,000 (x2), fraud over $5,000, theft and breach of probation (x3). Elliott has since been released.
Investigators believe that others may have been defrauded by Elliott and are releasing her photo to encourage them to contact police. Additionally, officers believe Elliott may re-offend against other small businesses and are advising anyone who is approached by her to not provide her with the goods or services that she’s requested unless an acceptable form of payment has been made and verified.
Duty to warn: Kelsey Elliott, 31
“According to the City of Edmonton, approximately 95 per cent of the 38,000 businesses in Edmonton are small businesses,” says Cst. Olivia Miciak with the EPS’ Southwest Branch. “As these companies and their owners continue to contribute to the fabric of our local economy, the EPS is focused on ensuring that they are treated fairly, including receiving the payments they are promised when they provide their products or skillsets to a customer. We believe there are other small business owners who have been negatively impacted by these acts of fraud, and we are encouraging them to contact us immediately.”