Vanessa Larivière, a 35-year-old woman who posed as a financial advisor, was sentenced to six months in prison after pleading guilty to fraud and forgery at the Longueuil courthouse in mid-June. According to court records, Larivière defrauded two friends of $92,752 by creating fake investment statements and impersonating a manager named “Enzo” to solicit funds.
How the fraud was carried out
Larivière utilized social media to falsely claim she worked as a counselor for three institutions: RBC, Groupe Investors, and IG Gestion de patrimoine. However, a decision from the Tribunal administratif des marchés financiers confirmed that she had not held a valid certificate to sell financial products since 2018. She operated under the business names Eva Rose Beauté and Eva Rose Capital, promising “very high” returns through the platform FP Markets.
To maintain the ruse, Larivière sent weekly emails from a fabricated persona identified as “Enzo.” In one instance, a victim was convinced to invest an additional $100,000 by dipping into her business line of credit. Larivière provided falsified documents suggesting this investment quintupled in value to $551,000 within a single month. When the victim attempted to withdraw a portion of the supposed profit, Larivière provided excuses, sent a small partial payment of $7,000, and eventually sent a text message containing a fake image of a $100,000 bank transfer.
Legal consequences and history
The court has ordered Larivière to provide full restitution to the victims. As part of her three-year probation, she is strictly prohibited from accepting money from third parties. Because she had already served time in pre-trial custody, her six-month sentence was nearing its end at the time of the ruling.
This case follows previous legal issues for Larivière. In 2024, she received a prison sentence for impaired driving causing injuries and failing to comply with an undertaking. A 2025 decision by the Commission québécoise des libérations conditionnelles denied her release, citing her inability to follow rules while in detention and a tendency to “push established limits.” The same decision noted that Larivière holds a law degree and had prior employment history within financial institutions.
Did You Know? Despite her claims of being a seasoned “tradeuse,” Vanessa Larivière had not held a valid financial services certificate since 2018, according to the Tribunal administratif des marchés financiers.
Expert Insight: The case highlights the risks associated with informal investment arrangements where the perpetrator exploits personal trust. By combining a professional background—including a law degree—with the fabrication of institutional credentials, the offender created an illusion that bypassed the typical scrutiny applied to licensed financial advisors.
What happens next
Larivière is now subject to a three-year probation period, during which she must fulfill the court-ordered restitution to her victims. Given her documented history of violating court-imposed conditions and the recent denial of her parole by the Commission québécoise des libérations conditionnelles, authorities may monitor her compliance closely. Any further breach of her probation terms could lead to additional legal repercussions.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much money was lost in the fraud?
The two victims lost a combined total of $92,752.
What was the role of the person named “Enzo”?
“Enzo” was a fictitious persona created by Larivière. She used this name to sign fraudulent email statements and operation reports sent to her victims to make the investments appear legitimate.
Did Larivière have a license to sell financial products?
No. According to the Tribunal administratif des marchés financiers, she had not held a valid certificate to sell financial products since 2018.
What steps can individuals take to verify the credentials of those managing their personal investments?