A Cleveland woman was sentenced to 2½ years in prison after pleading guilty to charges of mail fraud and identity theft, according to a recent announcement by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Ohio. Tanya Alahmad, 46, admitted to using a forged power of attorney to defraud an elderly individual out of more than $46,000. In addition to her prison term, Alahmad has been ordered to pay full restitution of the stolen funds.
The deception unfolded over two years, beginning in November 2019. Alahmad, a frequent presence in the victim’s home under the guise of assistance, manipulated their trust for financial gain. Details provided by the U.S. Attorney’s Office highlight her method of operation, creating a fake Power of Attorney document, forging the victim’s signature, and obtaining credit and debit cards to make unauthorized transactions. The victim's vulnerability was especially pronounced while they were receiving medical care and could not manage or monitor their finances.
Investigated by the United States Postal Inspection Service, this case reflects ongoing efforts under the Elder Justice Initiative Program, which stems from the Elder Abuse Prevention and Prosecution Act of 2017. The initiative aims to clamp down on elder abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation throughout the nation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian M. McDonough took the lead in the prosecution, with acknowledgment due to the collaborative efforts of the local authorities. reported the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office urges the public to be vigilant and report suspected elder financial abuse to the National Elder Fraud Hotline or the FBI’s IC3 Elder Fraud Complaint Center. These resources provide avenues for reporting and for elders to seek assistance, reinforcing the Department of Justice’s commitment to protecting this particularly susceptible population segment from financial predators.
