In April 2018, Winnipeg Police detectives from the Financial Crimes Unit began an investigation into allegations of fraud at a local funeral home. Chad Wheeler was a licenced Funeral Director and operated Wheeler Funeral Home. In March of 2018, the Court of Queen's Bench ordered Wheeler Funeral Home into receivership and appointed a trustee. As a result, investigators were made aware of several individuals who had purchased pre-arranged funeral plans but were unable to ascertain the status of these plans.
Investigators discovered that between February 2006 and February 2018, 76 pre-arranged funeral plans were sold, however, funds totalling $175,000 were not placed into a trust.
Between January 2007 and April 2017, investigators discovered that 40 pre-arranged funeral insurance plans were sold without the funds being remitted to the corresponding insurance company. Losses to customers totalled $75,000.
Between August 2006 and December 2017, additional fraudulent activity was discovered, totalling $50,000.
In all, 139 victims reported losses of $300,000.
Chad Robert WHEELER, 46, has been charged with one overall count of Fraud Over $5,000. As prescribed by the Criminal Code of Canada, he was released on an Undertaking with a court date for January 2021.