Florida Woman Sentenced to Four Years in Prison for Romance Scam Targeting 88-Year-Old Man

Peaches Stergo, a 36-year-old woman from Florida, has been handed a four-year prison term after pleading guilty to charges of wire fraud. Stergo was accused of swindling an 88-year-old man out of nearly $3 million in what authorities described as a romance scam. The sentence was delivered by Manhattan federal Judge Edgardo Ramos, who condemned Stergo's actions as "unspeakably cruel" and motivated by "greed."

The scam, which took place between 2017 and 2021, involved Stergo meeting the elderly man on a dating site and gradually draining him of his life savings. She initially claimed that she needed money to pay a personal injury lawyer, falsely stating that the lawyer was withholding funds from a settlement. Stergo then continued to manipulate the victim by threatening that his bank accounts would be frozen if he didn't deposit more money into her accounts.

As the victim fell deeper into the scam, Stergo used his money to fund a luxurious lifestyle. She purchased over 100 luxury items, including designer clothes, purses, and jewelry from renowned brands such as Tiffany, Louis Vuitton, and Hermes. Stergo also bought high-end watches, gold coins and bars, a condo, a boat, and several cars. She stayed at the Ritz Carlton during vacations and indulged in expensive meals.

The romance scam eventually cost the victim his apartment, while Stergo reveled in a life of luxury. When the funds dried up, she expressed frustration about having to work and complained about her financial situation. Stergo even referred to her fraudulent activities as her "business." In a text message, she joked with her real boyfriend about the success of her con after the victim professed his love for her.

Manhattan US Attorney Damian Williams expressed outrage at Stergo's actions, stating that she "callously defrauded an 87-year-old Holocaust survivor who was simply looking for companionship." He further emphasized that Stergo used the stolen funds to live a life of luxury at the victim's expense, but justice has been served.

In addition to the prison term, Stergo has been ordered to pay over $5.6 million in restitution and forfeitures. The possessions she purchased with the ill-gotten gains, including the house in the gated community and the luxury items, will go toward working off her debt. Stergo's lawyer, Ann Fitz, expressed satisfaction with the judge's decision, stating that they were happy the court imposed the lower end of the recommended sentencing guidelines.

The case serves as a reminder of the dangers of online romance scams and the devastating impact they can have on victims. Authorities urge individuals to remain vigilant and cautious when engaging in online relationships, especially when financial transactions are involved.