An Atlantic City woman is accused of stealing thousands of dollars from elderly people, many who recently lost loved ones.
Victoria Crosby, 44, received $110,380 into her bank account last year as a result of the scheme, acting U.S. Attorney Rachael Honig said.
Despite those funds, Crosby was getting government assistance, which allowed her to live in Atlantic City's Inlet Towers and pay $234 a month.
"God forgive me," Crosby told BreakingAC, when asked if she could comment on the case.
Crosby, who also goes by Kizzy Hudgins, would call spouses and other family members of the deceased, telling them that thousands was owed to their life insurance and it needed to be paid to receive the benefits, according to the charges.
Victims were told to purchase prepaid cards at various retailers and provide the caller with the 10-digit codes on the back. After obtaining the prepaid card information, Crosby and others loaded the money into accounts they controlled.
Surveillance video footage shows Crosby withdrawing victim funds from various ATMs in New Jersey, according to the complaint.
Seventeen victims have been identified, but it's believed there may be more. Most of the victims were older than 70.
One was a 72-year-old woman called two days after her husband died. She lost $10,000 as a result of the scheme, according to the complaint.
Crosby faces federal charges of wire fraud, concealing information affecting a continued right to payment by the Social Security Administration, health care fraud and making a false statement, representation or document to Housing and Urban Development.
The counts of wire fraud and health care fraud each carry a maximum of 20 years in prison and $250,000 fine, or twice the gross gain or loss from the offense, whichever is greatest.
The count of concealing any event affecting continued right to payment by the SSA and making false statements to HUD each carry a maximum of five years in prison and a maximum $250,000 fine, or twice the gross gain or loss from the offense, whichever is greatest.
