The advisor became suspicious when his 69-year-old-client called to request a $40,000 withdrawal and he could hear someone in the background guiding the conversation. He told his client the transaction would need to be done in person and she arrived the next day with her caretaker. During a private convo, the client confided that she did not need the money.
De Hernandez returned three days later claiming to have Power of Attorney for the woman and seeking to complete the transaction. The FA questioned the legitimacy of the document and insisted the client be present during such a transaction.
The FA alerted a relative of the client, who did a welfare check and found the elderly woman alone with only water jugs, a bottle with unknown fluid and some straws.
A police investigation found the caretakers stole more than $100,000 by using the woman’s ATM card and writing out checks to cash.