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Original poster

Would you report this to the police?

247 replies

RockOrAHardplace · 08/12/2024 00:22

I am Executor of a Will for elderly person who recently died. Unknown to me, there had been an LPA in place for finances as elderly person was in a dementia care home. Once the elderly person passed the LPA was no longer valid and it all fell to me as executor.

Transpires the person entrusted with the LPA robbed her blind and didn't pay any of her bills despite taking the money from the account. Nor did they register the LPA with the elderly persons bank. LPA was also taken out 2 years after elderly person had lost her mental capacity and was in a dementia care home. According to bank statements, whilst in dementia care home, which she never left, said elderly woman was buying designer clothes at Urban Outfitters, eating meals at nice restaurants, attending concerts and buying petrol for her car (elderly person never drove) and was having supermarket food deliveries delivered to a house 60 miles away where the holder of the LPA lived in a fully catered secure dementia care home..

Tried reporting to the Office of Public Guardian as the LPA should never have been allowed but as the elderly person is dead, their powers have lapsed.

Person who had the LPA entrusted cannot account for the whereabouts of the money, we are talking enough to buy a small house. There wasn't even any money to bury the person person in the estate (but before you ask the money came from elsewhere and she had a lovely funeral).

Would it be reasonable to report it to the Police or unreasonable to do so?

OP posts:
ForGreyKoala · 08/12/2024 00:42

RockOrAHardplace · 08/12/2024 00:27

Perhaps should have added its a distant family member - sorry didn't mean to drip feed. But as far as family loyalties concerned, would this make a difference to whether or not you reported them.

Edited

No it wouldn't. They could be a close family member and I would still report them. Stealing from such a vulnerable person is just awful, and they need to face the consequences.

KittenKins · 08/12/2024 00:41

RockOrAHardplace · 08/12/2024 00:31

What channel is that please, would be interested to watch it. My inclination is to report it but surprised at the reaction of the one family member I talked to about it. They were that adamant I shouldn't report it, even though the substantial evidence I have is pretty damning as the person is family and could ruin them!

Show quote history

Channel 4.

KittenKins · 08/12/2024 00:40

Definitely report it. The abuse of the vulnerable is hardly reported or recognised.

I don't really care if the money went on designer goods or even rent payments, it's stealing, it's financial abuse & not acceptable.

Without reporting this person could act as an LPA for someone else.

Motherrr · 08/12/2024 00:40

Awful - definitely report

IdaPrentice · 08/12/2024 00:38

RockOrAHardplace · 08/12/2024 00:31

What channel is that please, would be interested to watch it. My inclination is to report it but surprised at the reaction of the one family member I talked to about it. They were that adamant I shouldn't report it, even though the substantial evidence I have is pretty damning as the person is family and could ruin them!

Show quote history

TBH the person who has robbed a vulnerable old lady (and her family who should have inherited) deserves what's coming to them if they're prosecuted. You've got the evidence, in the bank statements.

GranPepper · 08/12/2024 00:38

RockOrAHardplace · 08/12/2024 00:22

I am Executor of a Will for elderly person who recently died. Unknown to me, there had been an LPA in place for finances as elderly person was in a dementia care home. Once the elderly person passed the LPA was no longer valid and it all fell to me as executor.

Transpires the person entrusted with the LPA robbed her blind and didn't pay any of her bills despite taking the money from the account. Nor did they register the LPA with the elderly persons bank. LPA was also taken out 2 years after elderly person had lost her mental capacity and was in a dementia care home. According to bank statements, whilst in dementia care home, which she never left, said elderly woman was buying designer clothes at Urban Outfitters, eating meals at nice restaurants, attending concerts and buying petrol for her car (elderly person never drove) and was having supermarket food deliveries delivered to a house 60 miles away where the holder of the LPA lived in a fully catered secure dementia care home..

Tried reporting to the Office of Public Guardian as the LPA should never have been allowed but as the elderly person is dead, their powers have lapsed.

Person who had the LPA entrusted cannot account for the whereabouts of the money, we are talking enough to buy a small house. There wasn't even any money to bury the person person in the estate (but before you ask the money came from elsewhere and she had a lovely funeral).

Would it be reasonable to report it to the Police or unreasonable to do so?

LPA would've had to be verified by a professional confirming donor's capacity surely? It's slightly unusual (although not unknown) to have an Executor who wasn't also the Power of Attorney - but how come you had little knowledge of the person's affairs before their (sad) death if they trusted you to be their Executor?

BeNavyCrab · 08/12/2024 00:37

RockOrAHardplace · 08/12/2024 00:31

What channel is that please, would be interested to watch it. My inclination is to report it but surprised at the reaction of the one family member I talked to about it. They were that adamant I shouldn't report it, even though the substantial evidence I have is pretty damning as the person is family and could ruin them!

Show quote history

Whatever the consequences for the person that's not your problem, that is up to the court to decide. I would be suspicious of another family member saying you shouldn't. They might have benefited or known about it and be worried about being found out. Don't discuss it any further, take all the evidence and let the police decide what the most appropriate action is.

verycloakanddaggers · 08/12/2024 00:35

BecuaseIWantItThatWay · 08/12/2024 00:32

YANBU - but I accidentally pressed YABU - sorry! 🫣

You can change your vote, click again.

Thedogscollar · 08/12/2024 00:35

RockOrAHardplace · 08/12/2024 00:27

Perhaps should have added its a distant family member - sorry didn't mean to drip feed. But as far as family loyalties concerned, would this make a difference to whether or not you reported them.

Edited

No difference. Fraud us fraud, even worse if it's a family member. Report to police.

BecuaseIWantItThatWay · 08/12/2024 00:32

YANBU - but I accidentally pressed YABU - sorry! 🫣

Ella31 · 08/12/2024 00:32

Report it and if you can, collect all the evidence you have - such as the records of expenses you have just mentioned if you can. I think going in armed with this will make the case be taken a lot more seriously

BeNavyCrab · 08/12/2024 00:31

You need to report this, both as her executor and as a fellow human. This is a shocking and definitely premeditated crime and the person should be held to account for it despite the lady being deceased. I don't know who would have inherited but those people have also had a crime commited against them, as they will not get whatever the lady had intended for them to receive. If nothing else, it might stop the next person who sets out to steal from the next vulnerable person.

Original poster
RockOrAHardplace · 08/12/2024 00:31

WingsofRain · 08/12/2024 00:26

I was watching an almost identical case on “24 hours in police custody” last night and the person was convicted of fraud.

Definitely report it.

What channel is that please, would be interested to watch it. My inclination is to report it but surprised at the reaction of the one family member I talked to about it. They were that adamant I shouldn't report it, even though the substantial evidence I have is pretty damning as the person is family and could ruin them!

OP posts:
SmalllChange · 08/12/2024 00:30

RockOrAHardplace · 08/12/2024 00:27

Perhaps should have added its a distant family member - sorry didn't mean to drip feed. But as far as family loyalties concerned, would this make a difference to whether or not you reported them.

Edited

No, I'd report anyone who robbed a vulnerable elderly person blind.

What I don't understand is why you're thinking twice about it?

SmalllChange · 08/12/2024 00:29

WingsofRain · 08/12/2024 00:26

I was watching an almost identical case on “24 hours in police custody” last night and the person was convicted of fraud.

Definitely report it.

Yep, me too.

StormingNorman · 08/12/2024 00:27

YANBU. Sorry - I clocked the wrong vote. You are definitely not being unreasonable to report to the policed. I watched a programme about this the other day. I think the crime is fraud by misrepresentation but could have got confused. It is definitely a police matter though.

PrincessofWells · 08/12/2024 00:27

It's fraud. You may struggle for it to be taken seriously and may be told its a civil matter (it's a criminal matter as well). But be persistent.

Edited to add as executor you have a fidiciary duty to deal with matters appropriately so reporting it is what you are obliged to do.

Original poster
RockOrAHardplace · 08/12/2024 00:27

Perhaps should have added its a distant family member - sorry didn't mean to drip feed. But as far as family loyalties concerned, would this make a difference to whether or not you reported them.

OP posts:
TammyBundleballs · 08/12/2024 00:26

It sounds like you are talking about quite a substantial sum. I’d definitely report it.

As executor of the will you are entrusted with ensuring the beneficiaries receive the appropriate assets as per the wishes of the deceased. If those assets have been taken, potentially fraudulently, then you have a duty of care to report it.

WingsofRain · 08/12/2024 00:26

I was watching an almost identical case on “24 hours in police custody” last night and the person was convicted of fraud.

Definitely report it.

BibbityBobbityToo · 08/12/2024 00:24

Definitely report to the police. Start gathering the evidence now.

nonbinaryfinery · 08/12/2024 00:23

1000000% report that.