tl;dr
A Massachusetts woman, Regina Henaku, was sentenced to two years in a House of Correction after pleading guilty to stealing $28,000 from elderly victims through identity theft and fraud. The scheme involved exploiting her role as a caregiver, stealing bank cards, and working at multiple healthcare f...
**Massachusetts Woman Admits to Stealing from Elderly, Faces Years in Prison**
A Massachusetts woman has been sentenced to two years in a House of Correction after pleading guilty to stealing thousands of dollars from nearly a dozen elderly victims, according to the state’s Attorney General’s Office (AGO). Regina Henaku, 33, admitted to exploiting her role as a caregiver to defraud senior residents, draining over $28,000 from their bank accounts.
Henaku orchestrated her scheme by stealing the identities and credentials of two individuals she knew, allowing her to work at five different healthcare agencies, long-term care facilities, and assisted living centers. She reportedly worked at each location for only a few weeks before moving on, using her temporary positions to target elderly residents. Prosecutors allege she stole 16 bank cards from her victims and used 11 of them to withdraw or purchase goods, draining approximately $28,000.
On October 14, Henaku pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including larceny over $250 from an elder or disabled person, credit card fraud, attempted larceny, identity fraud, and witness intimidation. The AGO stated that banks and credit card companies have refunded nearly all of the fraudulent transactions, though Henaku remains ordered to pay the remaining restitution to her victims.
In addition to her prison sentence—1 year to serve with the remaining 12 months suspended—Henaku has been barred from working in healthcare, social work, or any job involving the elderly or disabled. The AGO emphasized the vulnerability of her victims, highlighting the betrayal of trust inherent in her crimes.
The case underscores the risks of identity theft and exploitation in elder care, prompting warnings from authorities about the importance of vigilance in protecting seniors from fraudulent activity. Henaku’s sentencing reflects the severity of her actions, with both criminal penalties and long-term restrictions aimed at preventing future harm.
As the AGO continues to address cases of financial exploitation against vulnerable populations, this incident serves as a stark reminder of the need for robust safeguards in healthcare and caregiving sectors.