3 charged for allegedly stealing thousands from 87-year-old Hamilton County woman

by Matthew Dietz

CINCINNATI —  Three people have been charged after investigators alleged that they financially exploited an 87-year-old Hamilton County woman.

Hamilton County prosecutor Connie Pillich’s office announced charges against Thomas Dukes, Fray Chaney, and Jennifer Smith on Wednesday.

According to the prosecutor’s office, the suspects befriended the 87-year-old victim at church and targeted her for exploitation.

Investigators said the suspects obtained power of attorney and withdrew $70,000 from the woman’s bank account for personal use.

Investigators said Dukes and Chaney bought a Tesla online through Carvana in the victim’s name, pretending to be the victim, while Smith allegedly stole her Cadillac.

The prosecutor’s office said the victim’s total losses are estimated to be more than $122,000.

“These charges reflect the calculated exploitation of an elderly victim,” Pillich said. “My office will seek accountability for the harm that was done. This is exactly why I strengthened the Elder Justice Unit. We will make sure seniors are protected.”

Dukes, Chaney and Smith were indicted on charges of theft from a person in a protected class, identity fraud against a person in a protected class and telecommunications fraud. 

Full Article & Source:
3 charged for allegedly stealing thousands from 87-year-old Hamilton County woman 

2 accused of stealing more than $200,000 from elderly Gwinnett woman through spoofing

By Matt Johnson, WSB-TV 

GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. — A Gwinnett County grand jury has indicted two Florida residents accused of draining more than $200,000 from a 75-year-old Snellville woman’s bank account.

Ruiz Rember, 22, and Iesha Delcane, 22, both from the Miami area, face nine felony counts including elder exploitation, identity fraud, computer theft and conspiracy.

“It’s very serious, especially in this case. This woman lost a lot of money,” Cpl. Ryan Winderweedle with Gwinnett County Police said.

According to arrest warrants, the scheme began in August 2024 when the victim received what appeared to be a legitimate message from Bank of America about fraud on her account.

“When they click that phone number, that phone number is spoofed and then goes to somebody committing the fraud, who then presents themself as some kind of bank fraud department,” Winderweedle said.

The suspects asked for a security code sent to her phone. Once she provided it, investigators say they gained full access to her account.

“They were able to make numerous withdrawals from her account, totaling over $200,000 and sending them to various locations in other cities,” Winderweedle said.

Detectives tracked the suspects through ATM withdrawals and security camera footage. Investigators recovered about half of the stolen funds.

Neither suspect needed to be in Georgia to commit the crime.

“They can be out of state. They can be out of the country. These can originate from other countries, other continents,” Winderweedle said.

Rember joined Delcane in the Gwinnett County Jail last Thursday. Both are being held without bond.

“These criminals, they’re going to ask for a security code. Do not provide that security code,” Winderweedle warned. “A bank employee is not going to ask you for that security code. When they ask for that, that’s a big indication that it’s fraud.” 

Full Article & Source:
2 accused of stealing more than $200,000 from elderly Gwinnett woman through spoofing

Woman accused of stealing money from mother, disguising drug habit funds as cancer treatment

By Amanda Alvarado

RINGGOLD, Ga. (Gray News) - A woman is accused of stealing money from her elderly mother to fund her drug habit after telling her mother she was using the money for cancer treatment.

According to the Lookout Mountain Judicial Court District Attorney, Vickie Long entered a guilty plea to one count of exploiting an elder person, one count of identity fraud and one count of theft by taking.

Authorities said Long conned her mother into giving her “large sums of money for fictitious cancer treatments.”

When Adult Protective Services and family members intervened and put a stop to the voluntary transfers, Long started using her mother’s information to take money from her checking and savings accounts, according to the district attorney.

Law enforcement determined that Long spent most of the stolen money on fentanyl.

Long’s mother lost her home and nearly $200,000 as a result of the defendant’s fraudulent schemes.

“If you steal from your elderly mother, you’re not just a criminal — you’re a coward,” said District Attorney Clayton M. Fuller. “This defendant claimed to have cancer, but the truth is, she was the cancer.”

Long was sentenced to 30 years, with the first 15 years to be served in confinement.

Full Article & Source:
Woman accused of stealing money from mother, disguising drug habit funds as cancer treatment

31-year-old man found guilty of financially exploiting an 88-year-old man

By Roberta Baker

A Manchester man who financially exploited the elderly man whose home he shared was convicted Monday of 16 Class A felony counts of identity fraud, credit-card fraud and theft, according to a news release from the New Hampshire Attorney General.

After a five-day trial, a jury found Dujae Richards, 31, guilty of 12 counts of identity fraud, three counts of credit card fraud, and one count of theft by unauthorized taking. Jurors concluded that Richards intentionally took advantage of the 88-year-old, whose age and impaired vision compromised his ability to manage his property and finances and protect his rights and interests.

As a result, Richards is subject to an enhanced sentence of 10 to 30 years in New Hampshire State Prison for each conviction.

According to court documents, Richards illegally obtained more than $166,000 from the man, which he used to pay outstanding debts and take a casino vacation in Las Vegas, among other personal expenses.

Richards moved in with the elderly man — whose identity has not been disclosed — after Richards lost his apartment. Richards’ mother-in-law served as the man’s caregiver. After moving in, Richards agreed to assist with managing his finances in exchange for living there rent free.

Evidence presented at trial showed that Richards posed as the man to get an additional credit card on the man’s American Express account. Between October 2020 and February 2021, he withdrew more than $125,000 from the man’s annuity and multiple insurance policies. He illegally used credit cards issued in the older man’s name, and withdrew funds from his TD Bank checking account.

Financial fraud crimes account for most of the referrals to the NH AG’s Elder Abuse and Exploitation Unit, including 75% of all referrals received last year, said Assistant Attorney General Bryan J. Thompson II, one of the attorneys who prosecuted the case. That percentage has been fairly consistent since the start of the pandemic in 2020.

More than three-quarters of the unit’s financial exploitation referrals are for crimes allegedly committed by someone close to the victim — a family member, friend or caregiver, Thompson explained.

“Older adults who are relying on others to manage their finances should make sure to still check their accounts regularly,” said Thompson. Or, he said, at least have another trusted adult check them regularly, in order to double-check a new companion’s actions.

If the new companion refuses to provide the information requested by the older adult, “that is an immediate red flag,” Thompson said. Older adults shouldn’t give too much control to companions. “If there is power of attorney, there should be limitations on the ability to spend.”

Richards’ sentencing has been scheduled for Jan. 29, 2024. Nashua Police and the New Hampshire Insurance Department assisted in the investigation.

The New Hampshire Attorney General’s office advises victims of elder abuse or financial exploitation or anyone who knows of a victim to contact their local police department or the Department of Health and Human Services, Bureau of Elderly and Adult Services 1-800-949-0470.

Full Article & Source:
31-year-old man found guilty of financially exploiting an 88-year-old man

Dujae Richards Convicted of Stealing Elderly Victim’s Identity

New Hampshire
Department of Justice
Office of the Attorney General

Concord, NH – Attorney General John M. Formella announces that Dujae Richards, age 31, has been convicted by a Hillsborough County-Southern District Superior Court Jury of 12 class A felony counts of identity fraud, three class A felony counts of credit card fraud, and one class A felony count of theft by unauthorized taking.

Evidence presented at trial showed that in August 2020, Mr. Richards moved in with T.H., an 88-year-old man who had impaired mobility and vision. Mr. Richards agreed to help T.H. manage his finances. On August 10, 2020, Mr. Richards unlawfully posed as T.H. in order to obtain a credit card associated with T.H.’s American Express credit account. Between October 2020 and February 2021, Mr. Richards unlawfully posed as T.H. in order to obtain more than $125,000 from an annuity and multiple insurance policies T.H. held at New York Life Insurance Company.

Between August 2020 and February 2021, Mr. Richards also obtained funds from T.H.’s TD Bank checking account without T.H.’s authorization. Between August 2020 and October 2020, Mr. Richards used credit cards in T.H.’s name knowing that his use of those cards was unauthorized. In total, the State presented evidence that Mr. Richards unlawfully obtained more than $166,000 from T.H., which Mr. Richards used to pay outstanding personal debts and to travel and stay at a casino in Las Vegas, among other things.

In addition to convicting Mr. Richards, the jury also concluded that in committing his crimes, Mr. Richards intentionally took advantage of T.H.’s age or physical condition that impaired T.H.’s ability to manage his property or financial resources or to protect his rights or interests. As a result, Mr. Richards is subject to an enhanced term of imprisonment on each conviction, up to 10-30 years in the New Hampshire State Prison. Mr. Richards could also receive up to a $4,000 fine on each conviction. Mr. Richards’s sentencing hearing has not yet been scheduled.

This matter was investigated by the New Hampshire Attorney General’s Office, with assistance from the Nashua Police Department and the New Hampshire Insurance Department. The matter was prosecuted by Senior Assistant Attorney General Bryan J. Townsend, II, of the Elder Abuse and Financial Exploitation Unit and Assistant Attorney General Zachary Frish of the Consumer Protection and Antitrust Bureau, with assistance from Victim/Witness Advocate Sunny Mulligan-Shea.

If you or someone you know has been the victim of elder abuse or financial exploitation, please contact your local police department or the Department of Health and Human Services, Bureau of Elderly and Adult Services (1-800-949-0470).

Source:
Dujae Richards Convicted of Stealing Elderly Victim’s Identity

Local man admits to impersonating a nurse for nearly 4 years

Click to Watch Video

WKRC) – A Clifton man pleaded guilty to impersonating a nurse for nearly four years. Martez Morris, 28, used a stolen identity to get hired as a licensed practical nurse at a couple of Tri-State locations.

Morris stole the identity of a real nurse and created fake documents to get jobs at Cincinnati area home health agencies.

Ohio Attorney General, whose Health Care Fraud section prosecuted the case, said Morris cared for several children and a disabled adult. He gave breathing treatments to a toddler, administered medicine and cleaned the child's feeding tube, in one case.

Morris worked for Target Home Healthcare in Springdale for a time. An official there said there were no complaints about him from patients.

He also worked at Loving Care Transitional in Butler County. A patient complained that Morris was late several times to appointments. That's when Medicaid started to investigate and then alerted the attorney general's office.

Morris pleaded guilty to identify fraud, tampering with public records, Medicaid fraud and practicing nursing without a license.

He'll be sentenced on Dec. 17.

Full Article & Source:

Local man admits to impersonating a nurse for nearly 4 years

Bond set for woman accused of posing as nurse at Cortland nursing home

by: Nadine Grimley

CORTLAND, Ohio (WKBN) – A woman accused of stealing someone’s identity to work in a local nursing home/senior rehabilitation facility appeared in front of a judge on Friday to answer to criminal charges.

Thirty-year-old Amanda Thorne, of Liberty, entered not guilty pleas on felony charges of unlicensed practice and identity fraud via video.

Her bond was set at $40,000.

“Given the serious nature of these charges, the allegations involving fraudulent conduct, outstanding warrants, our own history of difficulty in securing Miss Thorne’s attendance,” said Judge Thomas Campbell.

At the time of her arrest Thursday morning, Thorne also had an active warrant out of Warren Municipal Court in a telecommunications fraud case.

The charges out of Cortland come after police were asked by the Cortland Health and Rehabilitation Center to investigate Thorne when the facility discovered she had been posing as a legitimate registered nurse who shared her first and last name.

Investigators said Thorne was hired at the facility on Jan. 9. She worked 17 shifts and even left in the middle of one without following protocol.

“It’s still early on in the investigation but it appears that they did take her fingerprints and run her fingerprints and that’s being investigated further to find out how she slipped through the cracks,” said Cortland Police Chief David Morris.

General counsel for Saber Healthcare Group — the company that runs Cortland Healthcare — released the following statement.

“The facility has notified the appropriate governmental agencies and continues to work with them. At all times the facility has acted in the best interests of its resident population and promotes their health, safety, and welfare. No resident was directly and proximately linked to any harm associated with this matter.”

“Cortland Healthcare has been very cooperative with us in working through this investigation and we suspect they will continue that cooperation,” Morris said.

At this point, investigators said they’ve been able to verify Thorne had worked at three other area nursing facilities prior to her time at Cortland Healthcare.

Full Article & Source:
Bond set for woman accused of posing as nurse at Cortland nursing home

Henry County PD’s identity fraud seminar a success

Detectives Melinda Gleason and Shamesa Hunter leading seminar

McDONOUGH — The Henry County Police Department held a seminar last week to educate Henry citizens on how to protect themselves from identity fraud, scams and financial exploitation.

The seminar was led by the Financial Crimes Unit of the department’s Criminal Investigation Division and hosted by Detectives Melinda Gleason and Shamesa Hunter.

“This seminar informed citizens of Henry County how to prevent themselves and their families from becoming victims of identity fraud, awareness of various scams, and elderly financial exploitation information,” Gleason said in a press release. “The seminar was well received by those in attendance.”

Guest speakers included David Blake, forensic specialist with the Georgia Department of Human Resources in the Division of Aging Services, Crystal McPherson, manager of community relations for the Henry County Better Business Bureau, and U.S. Postal Inspector Clifton Bell.

“The Henry County Police Department Financial Crimes Unit plans on offering this seminar again in 2018,” Gleason said.

Full Article & Source: 
Henry County PD’s identity fraud seminar a success

Woman admits to stealing from elderly patient

An Augusta woman who stole nearly $2,000 from an elderly personal care home patient pleaded guilty Thursday.

Tradona T. Allen, 31, pleaded in Richmond County Superior Court to exploitation or intimidation of elderly persons, identity fraud, financial transaction card theft, and financial transaction card fraud.

Chief Judge Carl C. Brown Jr. sentenced Allen to 10 years on probation under the First Offender Act, ordered her to pay $1,725.21 in restitution, and pay a $1,500 fine or perform an equivalent amount of community service.

As special conditions of probation, Brown ordered Allen to neither work in any personal care home setting nor work with an elderly person. Assistant District Attorney Justin Mullis told the judge that he was recommending probation because Allen had no prior criminal history.

Defense attorney Jesse Owen sought a short probation term for Allen, telling the judge she always intended to repay the victim, described in the indictment as a man over the age of 65.

Mullis said another employee of the Golden Living Community personal care home on Lee Street discovered bank payments that the victim couldn’t have made because he was in the Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center from Nov. 20 to Dec. 31, 2016 when purchases were made.

There were at least 18 charges, such as $606 to Verizon and $200 to Amazon, Mullis said.

Allen worked at the home and was friendly with the victim. After the theft was discovered Allen was fired.

Exploitation or intimidation of elderly persons is a felony offense punishable by up to 20 years in prison.

Full Article & Source:
Woman admits to stealing from elderly patient

Former lawyer indicted for stealing $600,000 from clients

SHAKER HEIGHTS, OH (WOIO) - A former Shaker Heights attorney has been indicted for stealing more than $600,000 from his clients.

Paul Kaufman, 67, has been charged with one count of theft, 20 counts of identity fraud and 20 counts of forgery, according to Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Timothy J. McGinty. The offenses took place between 2009 and 2014.

The indictment names 15 victims, but prosecutors and investigators believe there may be more. 

"Attorneys like Paul Kaufman are why so many people look down on the legal profession," said Assistant County Prosecutor James A. Gutierrez. "He chose to ignore his responsibilities as a lawyer and to cheat his clients, and now he is going to have answer for those crimes."

Investigators say Kaufman’s schemes worked like this: The attorney would win judgments or settlements for his clients, then forge their names on checks and pocket the funds. Sometimes, he eventually paid his clients some or all of their money — though usually only after repeated complaints — and sometimes he never gave them anything.

Kaufman resigned from the practice of law in 2015 with discipline pending.

The investigation continues and more charges may be added.

Full Article & Source:
Former lawyer indicted for stealing $600,000 from clients