Local banker arrested for scheme to exploit seniors

Three senior citizens, who are customers of Wells Fargo, NA in St Augustine, had their bank accounts illegally accessed; and, funds, reportedly totaling $6,000, were taken from their bank accounts, without their knowledge, according to a report received by Historic City News from Sheriff’s Financial Crimes Detective Henry Miller.

In April 2013, three Wells Fargo customers discovered the shortages in their accounts after they met with their “personal banker”, identified as 37-year-old Carmelo David Ortega.

On three occasions, Ortega, who resides at 12 Woodcrest Lane in Palm Coast, is accused of fraudulently withdrawing cash from the accounts of the three victims — ages 64, 84 and 86-years-old.

Miller collected the evidence and statements necessary to obtain a warrant for Ortega’s arrest on Thursday. Ortega was taken into custody and booked into the Flagler County Jail; charged with exploitation of the elderly and one count of operating an organized scheme to defraud on Friday.

The investigation is continuing.