Three people used charm, lies and threats to persuade an elderly Buffalo woman to give them more than $100,000 before they were arrested this week, according to Buffalo police.

Possibly as far back as 2002, the three became acquainted with the victim and came up with a variety of reasons why she needed to give them thousands of dollars at a time from her bank account.

Their hard-luck tales turned to threats of violence if the flow of money stopped, and the scheme ended only after Erie County Adult Protective Services alerted police.

“They befriended her in the neighborhood, and she trusted them,” said Michael J. DeGeorge, Buffalo Police Department spokesman. “They would keep coming to her for large sums of money.”

Mary Weeden, 41, of Mills Street; Regina Weeden, 45, of Quincy Street; and Belton Bruce, 44, of Carl Street, face charges of grand larceny, conspiracy and aggravated harassment.

The relationship among the three isn’t clear, although authorities said the Weedens appear to be sisters.

Details vary from case to case, but experts said elder abuse is far too common and typically committed by family members, caregivers or others who ingratiate themselves into the victim’s life.

“We really need to keep our eyes on folks who are elderly who may be the target of such people,” said Robyn Wiktorski-Reynolds, advocate program coordinator at Crisis Services, which deals with elder abuse.

The Buffalo News is not naming the victim, who is 72, nor her street, except to say she lives near Bailey and Kensington avenues. The three facing charges don’t live near her, but apparently spent time in the area.

Over the years, the three convinced the woman to give them sizable sums of money by coming up with various reasons for needing financial assistance, DeGeorge said.

Arrest reports said the suspects preyed on the victim’s sympathy, and she handed them $2,500 or $4,900 each month from her bank account.

Eventually, they began threatening to burn down or blow up her house if she didn’t continue giving them money, according to the reports.

The total theft exceeds $100,000, although a precise figure had not been determined, the arrest reports say.

Adult Protective Services recently was contacted because someone — possibly an official with the woman’s bank — became concerned about the woman’s withdrawal of so much money, DeGeorge said.

Department staff members were at the woman’s home Wednesday when she received a call demanding $4,900, De- George said.

Northeast District Officer Kim Beaty, who was waiting when the three arrived, arrested them with the assistance of Officer John Sanders. They were arraigned in City Court.

Authorities did not know whether the victim has any immediate family, but she is believed to live alone.

Senior citizens who don’t have anyone checking in on their living conditions, their health and their finances face the greatest risk of abuse, said Wiktorski-Reynolds, who spoke generally and not about this case.

Scam artists and other abusers make themselves indispensable to elderly victims, who might need help or feel lonely, she said.

For this reason, it’s important to be aware of “the web of people” who are in the lives of an elderly family member or friend, Wiktorski-Reynolds said.

Should you suspect medical elder abuse, financial elder abuse and / or neglect immediately contact Steven Peck’s Premier Legal, for a free consultation with an experienced elder law attorney at 1-866-999-9085.

Adam Peck, ESQ

About the Author

Adam J. Peck, ESQ is a principal with Peck Law Group, APC. In 2008, Mr. Adam Peck received his Juris Doctorate from Whittier Law School where he graduated Cum Laude. His practice is primarily dedicated to representing Elders, Dependent Adults, along with their loved ones and family members, who have suffered horrific personal injuries.