NYS Comptroller's Office talks scams targeting elderly amid $200k fraud investigation

"Really what we have here are two defendants who allegedly insinuated themselves into the lives of a vulnerable 86-year-old New York State pensioner and allegedly robbed him blind," saidNew York State Comptroller CounselNelson Sheingold.

On Tuesday, the New York State Comptroller's Office announced two people have been arrested for allegedly stealing more than $200,000 from an 86-year-old state pensioner.

30-year-old Albany resident Amber Diacetis and 33-year-old Devin Zielinski both face charges of grand larceny in the second degree.

"We launched a full investigation, tracing the money," said Sheingold. "This was a full forensic audit. Where was this money going? We conducted many interviews and we dug down and we proved the case leading to these arrests."

According to investigators, Diacetis and Zielinski schemed their way to become the victim's live-in caregiver and persuaded the man to agree to have them pay his bills.

The victim's wife died years ago and he had no other direct support.

"When you take advantage of the vulnerable when you take advantage of senior citizens, you take advantage of their isolation, you exploit that for your personal enrichment it simply reprehensible and crosses any moral barrier there is," said Sheingold.

For four years, the pair did not pay the victim's mortgage, property taxes, and other bills. His home went into foreclosure, the vehicle was repossessed, and the electricity was turned off.

Instead, they allegedly used the money for personal entertainment and paid child support.The victim was unaware his bills were not being paid from isolation and his condition according to the Comptroller's Office.

"They allegedly robbed him of his dignity leading him to live in absolute squalor as they used his money for their enjoyment and he lived in a house without plumbing with animal feces around the floor," said Sheingold. "Thank goodness based on the intervention that now he's being taken care of and being treated correctly, but how do you undo that kind of damage?Mere money alone doesn't do it."

Sheingold says this is a case that is far too common.

According to the FBI in 2023 people over 60-years-old experienced more than $3.4 billion dollars in elder fraud scam losses, an 11% increase compared to 2022.

Diacetis and Zielinski are scheduled to appear back in court on June 12th.

Information can be found here on how to report fraud with the New York State Comptroller's Office.