Former bank teller jailed for defrauding elderly customers, may face deportation

A former Charlottetown bank teller who defrauded customers of a quarter of a million dollarswas trying to support impoverished relativesoverseas, according to his defence lawyer.

But the judge who sentenced VivekVishisht, 29,to six months in jail says the man's purchase of an $84,000 luxury car suggests self-interest played a role, too.

"That's double what I've ever paid for a car," said Judge John Douglas as he handed down sentence Tuesday in Charlottetown Provincial Court. "So there's clearly a personal gain factor."

Vishisht, ofCharlottetown, had pleaded guilty to fraud leading up to Tuesday's sentencing.

Elderly customers targeted

According to a statement of agreed facts,Vishishtwas employed at the Toronto-Dominion Bank on Queen Street in Charlottetown when he committed the crime.

In April, an elderly customer contacted the manager because he had not received his monthly statement.The manager reviewed the account and discovered$5,000 missing.

The bank conducted a forensic audit and discoveredVishishthad defrauded 16 customers over a three-month period.Twelve of the 16 victims were elderly customers, and four accounts belonged to the estates of people who had recently died.

He's not the only person who grew up poor. That's no excuse Crown prosecutor Lisa Goulden

Vishishthad also created two fake bank accounts from which hehad drawn bank drafts payable to himself. In total, $251,535.80 was missing. TheTDBankreimbursedall customers.

The investigation revealedVishishtused about a third of the money $84,059.80 to buy a 2018 Audi.

Deportation a possibility after jail

Much of the legal argumentat Tuesday's sentencing examined the possibility ofVishisht'sdeportation from Canada. He arrived in Canada from India in 2010.He became a permanent resident after moving to P.E.I. in 2016.

Crown prosecutor LisaGouldenrecommended a sentence of 12 to 15 months in jail.Such a lengthy sentence would have resulted inVishisht'sloss of the right to appeal any possible deportation order he might eventually face.

"A quarter-million dollars is large-scale fraud. Elderly clients weretargeted... He's not the only person who grew up poor. That's no excuse," Golden told court.

Defence lawyer Isaac Quinnsuggested six months in jail, which would allow Vishishtto appeal deportation.

"He escaped abject poverty. He's been in Canada for one-third of his life.This is the country he knows," said Quinn.

'I'm ashamed'

Judge John Douglas sentenced him to six months in jail followed by six months house arrest as part of two years on probation.

"Low sentences can cause the public to lose confidence in the justice system," said Douglas."But the immigration issues are of utmost concern in this case ... It's up to the [federal] Immigration Department to deport him or not."

"I'm sorry for what I did and I'm ashamed," saidVishisht, before sentence was handed down.

The judge has orderedVishishtto repay the bankthe quarter of a million dollars.The Audi will be sold at auction.

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