Arkansas – A woman from Arkansas has been sentenced to prison for stealing over $300,000 from elderly customers at a credit union in New Hampshire. The case highlights the growing problem of elder fraud, where vulnerable individuals are targeted by scammers, and in this case, an employee in a position of trust.
Tyra Brown, 27, from Benton, Arkansas, worked as a customer service representative at the credit union. She was able to exploit her position to access personal information from customers, including security questions, answers, and account balances. Using this sensitive data, Brown stole a total of $301,674.89 from at least 10 elderly victims. She also made attempts to steal an additional $428,526.85. Brown conducted the thefts by using wire transfers, electronic debits, and the Zelle payment system to move funds from her victims’ accounts into other accounts she controlled.
“This case is a prime example of how someone can abuse their position of trust to target vulnerable individuals,” said Acting U.S. Attorney McCormack. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement partners are vigilantly working to protect Granite Staters from fraudsters like the defendant.” Brown’s actions were particularly egregious because many of the victims were not familiar with electronic banking, which made it easier for her to steal from them undetected.
In January, Brown pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud. While she faced up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000, the court has now sentenced her to three years in prison and three years of supervised release. The sentencing serves as a reminder of the serious consequences of financial crimes, particularly those that target the elderly, a group that often lacks the resources to recover stolen funds.
“The defendant deliberately abused her position of trust and chose to target elderly account holders,” said Acting U.S. Attorney McCormack, emphasizing the betrayal of trust involved in Brown’s scheme. James Crowley, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Boston Division, also expressed his condemnation of Brown’s actions, calling them “cowardly” and “cruel.” Crowley added, “The FBI will never stop working to shut down elder fraud schemes like this one.”
This case underscores the need for heightened awareness and vigilance when it comes to protecting elderly individuals from fraud. It also highlights the importance of safeguards in financial institutions to prevent employees from abusing their access to sensitive customer information. The sentencing of Tyra Brown serves as a warning to others who might consider exploiting their position to commit similar crimes.
Victims of similar scams are encouraged to report any suspicious activity to law enforcement immediately. The federal government and various law enforcement agencies continue to work hard to protect seniors from financial exploitation, and they will remain vigilant in the fight against elder fraud.
