Woman steals $200K from 83-year-old, uses some for traffic tickets, Florida cops say

A woman facing “elderly exploitation” charges was bold enough to pay for traffic tickets with checks stolen from the victim, an 83-year-old wheelchair user, according to investigators in Florida.

The scam lasted over four years and amounted to $205,762.60, the St. Petersburg Police Department reported in a Jan. 17 news release.

“The victim was 79 years old when the financial exploitation started and was approximately 83 years old when the exploitation was discovered by her bank and reported to law enforcement,” police said.

“Between 07/07/2017 and 09/01/2021, (the suspect) wrote 176 checks to obtain cash, make deposits into her bank account, and pay her own bills. (The suspect) fraudulently used the victim’s credit card for $20,045.58 for appliances, utility bills, ride-share, phone bills, online purchases, and travel expenses.”

Among the checks was one made out for $3,517.02 to the Pinellas County Clerk of Court, to cover the 65-year-old suspect’s “traffic tickets and fines,” police said.

Investigators say the suspect was considered a trusted assistant, having been hired as a housekeeper when the victim had surgery.

“Later, after having surgery, the victim returned home and hired 24/7 home health care ... (the suspect) assumed responsibility for grocery shopping, paying bills, and picking up medications for the victim,” police said.

That meant she had access to the victim’s credit cards and checkbook, police said.

Investigators did not reveal how the bank stumbled onto discrepancies in the victim’s accounts.

The suspect was arrested and charged with first-degree elderly exploitation.