Florida Woman Steals $2.8M From Holocaust Survivor

Peaches Stergo, 38, of Florida, will spend the next 4 years and 3 months in federal prison after systematically draining the life savings of an 87-year-old Holocaust survivor. The feds sentenced her Thursday for a cold-hearted romance scam that bilked the victim out of $2.8 million between May 2017 and October 2021. Stergo didn’t just take money; she preyed on a man who’d already endured unimaginable trauma.

The scam unfolded on a dating website. Stergo spun a web of lies, claiming she needed funds to settle a bogus legal claim. Over four and a half years, the victim – whose name is being withheld to protect his privacy – wrote 62 checks totaling $2,830,775, handing over his entire nest egg to a woman who saw him as nothing more than a mark. She backed up her lies with fabricated documents and a fake email account, deepening the deception.

While the victim was left financially and emotionally ruined – forced to give up his apartment and facing an uncertain future – Stergo lived large. Federal prosecutors detailed how she used the stolen funds to purchase a home in a gated community, a condominium, a boat, and multiple cars. She splurged on luxury hotels, fine dining, and expensive trips, flaunting her ill-gotten gains while her victim struggled.

The callousness of Stergo’s actions didn’t end with the theft. According to sources close to the case, she expressed frustration *not* over defrauding a vulnerable elderly man, but over her inability to generate wealth through legitimate means. This stunning lack of remorse further enraged prosecutors and fueled their pursuit of a substantial sentence.

“This defendant took advantage of an elderly Holocaust survivor,” stated Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicholas Biase. “She used the stolen funds to live a lavish lifestyle while the victim was left with nothing. This sentencing sends a clear message that romance scammers will be held accountable for their crimes.” Stergo was also ordered to pay restitution of $2,830,775 and forfeit any assets purchased with the stolen money.

The investigation was led by the FBI, with the case prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York. Assistant U.S. Attorney Adam Sowlati spearheaded the prosecution. This case is a grim reminder of the increasing prevalence of romance scams and the devastating impact they have on vulnerable individuals, particularly seniors. Anyone who believes they may be a victim of a romance scam should immediately contact their local law enforcement agency or the FBI.