Assistance Needed for Seniors Deceived and Stripped of their Savings

I have created this GoFundMe page on behalf of my elderly parents David and Patricia Patrico.

My father is 81 years old, a Vietnam War veteran, and he suffers from congestive heart disease, diabetes, and Parkinson's disease. My mother is 78, living with Alzheimer's and dementia, and relies on a wheelchair for mobility. They have been married for over 55 years and, with the support of family, are still able to live independently in their own home.

After his service in Vietnam, my father worked as an auto mechanic, leading a modest life while raising four children and saving whenever he could. My mother was a dedicated homemaker. My father did not have a pension or stocks, and it wasn’t until later in life that he had access to a 401(k). He worked for as long as he could, even when it became physically demanding, driven by his concern for financial security during retirement and the well-being of my mother in the event of his passing.

They were tricked by an AI-generated impersonation of their grandson, who urgently asked for their assistance and instructed them to speak with his attorney for more information. Subsequently, the attorney reached out to them, claiming that their grandson had been involved in a car accident where the other vehicle was driven by a woman with an infant, who sadly died. The attorney indicated that the accident was their grandson’s fault, resulting in his incarceration, and emphasized that he needed their help urgently. Because of the fatality, the attorney cautioned them to keep everything confidential due to a gag order, warning that sharing the information—even with family—could jeopardize their grandson’s case and prolong his jail time. He stressed that they had only hours to act, as it was Veteran’s Day weekend and the courts would be closing early, creating an urgent need for immediate action.

Although my father did not have the financial means, the emotional weight of the situation led him to withdraw $20,000 in cash from the bank to give to the attorney, who assured him that he would receive it back within a week. Due to the “gag” order, I only found out about this after the money had already been given away, leaving me unable to intervene in time. The police have been notified and are currently investigating, having visited my parents twice; however, the chances of recovering the money are slim.

This is a substantial amount of money that my parents couldn't afford to part with, yet they did so out of love for their grandson, believing it was necessary. It was all a deception. They are heartbroken in countless ways, and I wish I were in a financial position to reimburse them for the loss.

I'm reaching out to ask for your help in coming together to support my parents and to raise funds for them. While I understand we may not be able to recover the full amount they lost, any contribution would be sincerely appreciated. The elderly are incredibly vulnerable, and my parents are kind-hearted and genuinely good people. It would mean a lot to show them that there are those who care about seniors and are willing to offer their support.

Thank you in advance for your consideration.