Ex-Santander banker admits stealing $125K from elderly dementia patient
A former Santander Bank employee has admitted to stealing over $125,000 from an elderly customer with dementia. Carlos Bras, who worked as a relationship manager in Seekonk, Massachusetts, pleaded guilty to mail fraud and aggravated identity theft in federal court. His crimes involved repeated unauthorised access to the victim’s account over several months in 2023. Bras began his scheme in April 2023 while employed at the bank’s Seekonk branch. Over the next three months, he accessed the 78-year-old customer’s account around 88 times without permission. He impersonated the victim to request checks and a debit card, which he then used for personal expenses.
Using a disposable TracFone, Bras monitored the progress of his illegal transfers. He sent at least 10 wire transfers totalling $9,690 to accounts in Portugal via Western Union. In July 2023, Santander Bank terminated his employment after discovering the fraud. Investigators later found that Bras had spent the stolen funds on a 2023 KIA Sportage. His guilty plea confirms he faces up to 32 years in prison and must return $126,000 to the federal government.
The case will now proceed to sentencing, where Bras could receive a maximum of 32 years behind bars. He has already agreed to forfeit the full amount stolen from the victim’s account. The bank terminated his position in July 2023 after uncovering the fraudulent activity.
