New Jersey preschool teacher accused of scamming senior citizen out of $500,000

FORT LEE, New Jersey (WABC) -- Authorities arrested a Fort Lee, New Jersey, man Friday for allegedly scamming a senior citizen out of more than a half-million dollars.

The Bergen County Prosecutor's Office said 33-year-old Benjamin Yew, a preschool teacher, used his power of attorney over a Bergan County senior citizen to access the victim's investment account and personal checking account, which received monthly pension and Social Security deposits.

Through online banking transfers and cash withdraws, investigators said Yew stole the excess of $500,000 from the victim for his own personal purposes.

The investment account originally contained more than $900,000 to pay for the victim's senior living facility, but once Yew depleted these funds, the facility could no longer provide a sufficient level of care.

The Bergan County prosecutor's office charged Yew with computer-related theft, theft by deception and elder abuse related charges.

He was taken to Bergan County jail on $75,000 bail pending an August 10 hearing.