A Yukon resident is facing fraud charges in relation to allegedly receiving benefits during COVID-19 at the same time as being employed by the Canada Revenue Agency in Alberta.

The RCMP’s Provincial Financial Crime Team also charged 39-year-old Melissa Jensen Webb with unauthorized access to a computer and accessing confidential information. Between April 2020 and January 2021, the accused is alleged to have fraudulently obtained nearly $20,000 by claiming the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) and Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit (CRCB).

A warrant was issued for her arrest in July and Jensen Webb was arrested and charged on August 10th.

In a news release, Sergeant John Lamming says, “The act of accessing and altering data on any internal database is an extreme abuse of one’s position. By manipulating these systems, the accused personally benefitted from fraudulent payments.”

Jensen Webb is scheduled to appear in Stony Plain Provincial Court on Sept. 20, 2023 to face these charges:

• Fraud Over $5,000 contrary to section 380(1)(a) of the Criminal Code;
• Possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000 contrary to section 355(a) of the Criminal Code;
• Mischief in relation to computer data contrary to section 430(5) of the Criminal Code;
• Unauthorized use of computer to commit fraud contrary to section 342.1 of the Criminal Code (x2);
• Breach of trust by a public officer contrary to section 122 of the Criminal Code (x2); and,
• Offence with respect to confidential information contrary to section 239(2.2)(a) of the Income Tax Act.