Nightmare: Father and Daughter Accused of Stealing Life Savings

An Ulster County father-daughter duo has been arrested after authorities say they committed a years-long theft of over $250,000 from an elderly woman who believed the pair were her trusted helpers.

New York State Police Superintendent Steven G. James described the recent accusations as "a devious scheme to take advantage of a vulnerable individual." Details of the crime paint a picture of patience, planning, and disregard for the well-being of a vulnerable woman.

A father-daughter duo has been arrested for a crime allegedly targeting a vulnerable Ulster County, NY Resident (Canva/ag.ny.gov)

Ulster County Residents Arrested for 6-Figure Larceny

Frank Whittaker of Kingston, NY and his daughter Christine Ellsworth of Accord, NY were charged with Grand Larceny in the Second Degree and could face upwards of 15 years of prison if convicted for the crimes authorities allege they committed over several years.

Timeline of Alleged Theft in Ulster County, NY

Beginning in 2021, Attorney General Letitia James says the pair befriended a then 92-year-old woman and began to earn her trust through helpful tasks at her home and property. Soon, Whittaker was granted Power of Attorney (POA), giving him control of the victim's finances.

How Ulster County, NY Duo Allegedly Stole Over $280,000

Charges allege that after receiving POA, Whittaker and Ellsworth stole hundreds of thousands of dollars from the victim through personal checks and illegal bank transfers, spending the money on everything from vehicles and jewelry to restaurants and casinos.

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While Attorney General James reminded residents that Whittaker and Ellsworth are innocent until proven guilty, she also thanked Superintendent Steven G. James and local law enforcement "for their assistance in this investigation, which sends a clear message that anyone who tries to defraud New Yorkers will be brought to justice". Nationwide, statistics on the victimization of elderly residents are staggering (below).

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Senior citizens are one of the scammers' favorite targets, and with artificial intelligence making it easier to fool even the sharpest among us, those 60 and older are seeing their accounts drained by manipulative and deceptive tactics. VPNPro recently conducted a study, the goal of which was to determine which state in America has seen the most senior scams. Here's a look at the VPNPro's 50 State Ranking for Elder Fraud. For the full methodology, see the #1 state for elder fraud in the United States.

Gallery Credit: Scott Clow

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Gallery Credit: Scott Clow