(WNY News Now) – Rochester – A Rochester woman faces serious charges after allegedly defrauding her elderly landlord out of over $250,000 in a calculated scheme spanning nearly three years.
A Rochester resident, Nahtahna Castner, 45, was arrested and charged with wire fraud, bank fraud, and aggravated identity theft, according to U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross. The charges could result in up to 30 years in prison and a $1 million fine.
Prosecutors allege that between July 2020 and February 2023, Castner exploited the trust of her elderly landlord, a woman in her mid-90s, to gain access to personal and banking information. The victim, who owned a duplex and lived on one side, allowed Castner to move into the adjacent unit. During this period, Castner allegedly withdrew substantial sums of money from the victim’s accounts, making daily ATM withdrawals and conducting peer-to-peer payments into her personal bank account.
The criminal complaint accuses Castner of defrauding the victim of approximately $252,672.97 from two banks. Additionally, she is said to have used the victim’s identity to secure unauthorized credit cards with limits totaling over $3,600, which she used for personal purchases such as travel, including a trip to Hawaii, vehicle repairs, and insurance.
In January 2022, the victim was hospitalized. When the victim’s family arrived days later, Castner was already present, falsely claiming to be the victim’s granddaughter and making healthcare decisions on her behalf. The family, initially believing Castner had been helping the victim out of kindness, soon discovered that the elderly woman’s bank accounts were nearly depleted. Shortly after this discovery, Castner vacated the duplex and ceased contact with the family.
The elderly victim passed away in February 2023, with less than $100 left in her accounts.
The investigation was led by the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Miraglia. Castner has been charged, but as in all cases, she is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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