Father and son charged with stealing nearly $800k from an elderly woman

MOBILE, AL – A father and son are facing serious allegations after reportedly swindling an elderly woman out of over $700,000. Authorities in Mobile County reveal that Charles and Dylan Cook allegedly drained the retiree’s account, leaving her nearly penniless.

The Mobile County District Attorney’s Office has charged both men with multiple counts, including financial exploitation of an elderly person. The two are currently detained at Metro Jail, awaiting further legal proceedings.

Investigators state that the Cooks operated a local lawn care business and had performed services for the victim. It remains unclear how they gained access to her accounts, but court documents indicate they withdrew $774,000 through checks and cash transactions.

A pattern of substantial transactions from the victim’s account to the Cooks was discovered, supposedly following an arrangement where Charles Cook would oversee the woman’s finances. However, officials assert that she never consented to such an agreement.

Carl Bates, president of the Better Business Bureau for Central and South Alabama, described this case as the worst instance of elder exploitation he has encountered in the state. He emphasized the need for vigilance and the importance of written agreements in financial matters.

The National Council on Aging reports that elder financial abuse results in approximately $23.8 billion in losses annually. Bates stressed the necessity of entrusting financial oversight to reliable individuals and ensuring all agreements are documented.

He added that unforeseen medical issues could exacerbate vulnerabilities, making it crucial for individuals to have a trusted person appointed to manage their affairs.

The District Attorney’s Office expressed relief at uncovering the alleged crime before the suspects could evade justice, labeling such exploitation as one of the most reprehensible offenses they encounter.