Authorities say an 80-year-old Garfield woman befriended an older man online, moved him into her Pittsburgh home, then quietly drained his bank accounts to the tune of more than $223,000 while he was living with dementia.
According to the criminal complaint, Susan Larkin struck up an online relationship with the man in 2023. Investigators say he later relocated to Pittsburgh, moved into Larkin’s home, and became increasingly cut off from his adult children. Family members eventually noticed money missing from his accounts and, once he moved back in with his son, started combing through his finances.
Court documents allege Larkin wrote a single check for $220,000 from the victim’s bank account to herself, then deposited it into her own account and used his funds to cover her personal expenses.
As reported by WPXI, Larkin is facing charges that include theft by unlawful taking, receiving stolen property, and access device fraud. The report cites the criminal complaint in listing the total allegedly taken as $223,773.99 and stating that the $220,000 check was deposited directly into Larkin’s account.
How Investigators Say It Unfolded
The complaint describes a relationship that began online and soon turned into a major life change for the victim, who left his previous living situation and moved into Larkin’s Garfield residence. Prosecutors allege she used that access to isolate him from his family, gain control of his banking information, and make withdrawals and payments that benefited her rather than him.
Once the man moved back in with his son in 2025, relatives began reviewing his accounts and spotted irregular withdrawals and transfers. Those red flags triggered a deeper look by investigators, who say bank records and check images documented money flowing from the victim’s accounts into Larkin’s.
Charges And What They Mean
Larkin is charged under Pennsylvania laws that cover unlawfully taking someone else’s property, receiving stolen property, and using access devices such as cards or account numbers for fraud. The Pennsylvania General Assembly sets out how those crimes are defined and graded, and larger losses can elevate charges to felony levels.
The Allegheny County District Attorney’s Office says its Elder Abuse Unit focuses on financial exploitation cases involving vulnerable adults and works closely with police to pursue criminal charges and restitution when possible.
Bigger Picture
Authorities say this case fits into a troubling national pattern. Financial exploitation of older adults has been rising, particularly in cases involving large losses and schemes that often start online. The Federal Trade Commission’s recent report on protecting older consumers details a growing wave of high-dollar scams and warns that social-media contacts and impersonation tactics frequently zero in on seniors.
Local prosecutors and elder-abuse specialists often stress that quick action from family members or financial institutions can be the difference between catching a scheme early and losing a life’s savings.
What’s Next
It was not immediately clear whether Larkin had been arraigned or when a preliminary hearing would be scheduled. Public reporting so far is based on the criminal complaint, which outlines the allegations but is not evidence of guilt. Prosecutors will decide whether to move the case into county court with formal charges and could seek restitution if the accusations are proven.
Anyone with concerns about possible elder financial exploitation is urged to contact Pittsburgh police or the Allegheny County District Attorney’s Office; the DA’s elder-abuse page lists reporting contacts and support resources.
