A woman from Cobble Hill has been charged with fraud for allegedly stealing close to $441,178 over a two-year period from clients of a financial investment company.

Barbara Giroux, 48, had her first court appearance in Victoria Wednesday.

A spokesperson with the Victoria Police Dept., Mike Tucker, said Giroux stole money from client accounts at the now-defunct Michaels Wealth Management.

“She worked in the office as a clerk and she… had access to their accounts and was able to transfer it to her own personal accounts.”

Tucker says two victims were seniors.

“I mean, it’s a real shame for the elderly people. When you’re retired, the last thing you want to worry about is your investments and especially having them stolen,” he said. “So real tragedy for them.”

Tucker said the police checked Giroux's accounts and money that was transferred is gone. Giroux is charged with fraud over $5,000 and Tucker said it's possible there could be a civil lawsuit filed again her.

Giroux is due back in court in Victoria on Oct. 2. 

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