A Steelton woman has been charged with defrauding a senior citizen out of $86,500.
HARRISBURG – Sally Berry, age 62, of Steelton, Pennsylvania, was charged with wire fraud for defrauding a 78 year-old man out of $86,500, announced United States Attorney David J. Freed.
According to the criminal information, Berry defrauded the victim by falsely representing to him that she was going to receive a $750,000 settlement from the Western Union, fraud victim reimbursement fund.
Berry allegedly asked the victim to lend her money so she could pay various legal fees and travel expenses incurred in connection with her claim. The victim financed the loan by borrowing $25,000 from a credit union on September 28, 2018.
The information further alleges that Berry gave the victim a Western Union Petition for Remission form bearing the handwritten note: “Proof of Western Union Settlement,” and another Western Union Remission document bearing the handwritten note: “Look at this – My claim was submitted and accepted 5/31 – Just a matter of time.”
Berry was arrested by U.S. Postal Inspectors in connection with the charges on November 15, 2018, and was subsequently ordered detained by Chief U.S. Magistrate Judge Martin C. Carlson. Following a preliminary hearing before Judge Carlson on November 27, 2018, Berry was held over on the charges pending further proceedings.
The case is being investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Harrisburg Office.
Key Facts
- State: Pennsylvania
- Category: White Collar Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
ðŸâ€Â’ Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
White Collar CrimeWhite Collar CrimeWhite Collar CrimeWhite Collar Crime