Man gaslit grieving widow into believing she had dementia and stole thousands of dollars to buy SUV: Police

Justin Ray Donaldson arrested for scamming elderly woman

Background: Anderson County Detention Center (Google Maps). Inset: Justin Ray Donaldson (Anderson County Sheriff’s Office).

A South Carolina man is accused of convincing an elderly, grieving widow that she had dementia and then stealing thousands of dollars from her.

Justin Ray Donaldson, 35, was arrested and charged with breach of trust against a 73-year-old woman who had recently been widowed. According to the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office, Donaldson cultivated a relationship with the woman “similar to that of a grandson” while she was participating in activities at a local senior center. It was unclear why Donaldson was at the senior center, and police told Greenville Fox affiliate WHNS that he was not part of the staff.

After building the woman’s trust, Donaldson allegedly convinced her that she was suffering from dementia and that she should turn over her power of attorney to him. He eventually gained access to her bank accounts, from which he allegedly stole thousands of dollars.

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