In an unexpected turn of events, a 74-year-old woman in Fairfield Township, Ohio, has been charged with the armed robbery of a local credit union. However, her relatives have come forward, claiming that she may be a victim of an online scam and was desperate to solve her financial problems.

Ann Mayers, who has no prior criminal record, is facing charges of aggravated robbery with a firearm and tampering with evidence in connection with the recent robbery. She is currently held in jail on a $100,000 bond, awaiting her initial court appearance. As of now, no attorney has been listed on court records to represent her.

According to Fairfield police, Mayers was apprehended at her Hamilton residence shortly after the robbery took place. During the arrest, a handgun, believed to be the one used in the robbery, was discovered in her car. However, authorities have since learned that Mayers may have fallen victim to an elaborate scam, prompting them to investigate her claims.

Relatives of Mayers revealed to detectives that she had been sending money to an unidentified individual, as reported by The Columbus Dispatch. Sergeant Brandon McCroskey commented on the situation, stating that some may perceive Mayers as a "victim" in this aspect. However, he emphasized that she chose to victimize others by resorting to armed robbery as her solution to the financial predicament.

McCroskey described the situation as "very sad and unfortunate" if Mayers' relatives' claims turned out to be true. He disclosed that Mayers had mentioned her thoughts of robbing banks to her family members in the days leading up to the incident, but they did not take her comments seriously at the time.

Experts have noted an alarming increase in scams targeting seniors over the past decade. These scams, such as the notorious grandparent scams, often exploit the love and concern older individuals have for their family members. Scammers gather personal information online to convince seniors of the legitimacy of their calls, leading them to believe that their younger relatives are in urgent need of money.

This case brings to light the devastating consequences that can arise from these scams. Just this month, an 81-year-old Ohio man was charged with murder after shooting an Uber driver, mistakenly believing she was involved in a scheme to extract $12,000 in bond money for a relative. The driver, too, had fallen victim to the same scam, unknowingly delivering a package to the man's residence.

As investigations continue into Ann Mayers' case, it serves as a reminder of the importance of vigilance and caution in the face of online scams that prey on our vulnerable population.