Grandmother, 74, Robs Credit Union After Falling Victim to Online Scam
What drives a 74-year-old grandmother with no criminal record to walk into a bank with a gun and demand money? For Ann Mayers of Hamilton, Ohio, the answer lies in a malicious online scam that depleted her life savings. But the path she chose to recover her losses would leave many stunned — and cost her much more than money.
From Scam Victim to Bank Robber
Ann Mayers' life changed when she became the victim of an online scam that drained her finances. According to her sister, someone claiming to be with U.S. Customs convinced Mayers to send them thousands of dollars.
Family members later shared information with detectives about the alleged scammer. This so-called official allegedly promised Mayers something in return, though the exact nature of their claims remains unclear. Unfortunately, the financial and emotional strain of being scammed pushed Mayers to consider drastic measures.
Detectives revealed that in the days leading up to the robbery, Mayers spoke about robbing banks to family members. Everyone thought she was joking, but she would soon prove otherwise. On April 19, she removed the license plate from her 2014 Hyundai Elantra, drove to the AurGroup Credit Union in Fairfield Township, and entered with a visible handgun.
A Robbery Gone Wrong
Inside the credit union, Mayers demanded money while holding two bags, one of which contained a firearm. She left with just $568 before heading to a nearby store to return a pair of jeans. By the time she arrived home, police were already closing in.
When officers confronted Mayers in her backyard, she didn't deny her actions. "I know why you're here," she told them, according to Journal News. She then admitted to the robbery, showing officers the cash stashed in a Kroger bag and a loaded Colt .38 caliber revolver hidden under her car seat.
A Tragic Turn for a Woman With No Criminal History
Mayers' actions stunned her neighbors, friends, and family. She had no prior criminal record and had lived a quiet life in Hamilton. Despite her age and lack of history, the evidence showed the robbery was premeditated. Investigators discovered she tried to conceal her identity by removing her car's license plate and bumper sticker.
Her family, heartbroken by the situation, described her as a victim of a cruel scam. Police acknowledged this, noting that Mayers' situation was tragic, but that she had chosen to put the lives of innocent credit union employees at risk to solve her financial troubles.
Court Decides Mayers' Fate
Ann Mayers, now 75, was sentenced in October 2024 after pleading guilty to robbing a Fairfield Township credit union. She received a prison term of four to five and a half years after admitting to aggravated robbery with a deadly weapon. As part of her plea agreement, a charge of tampering with evidence was dismissed, and a firearms specification was reduced from three years to one year. While Mayers originally faced up to 17.5 years in prison, the reduced sentence reflects her clean prior record and age.
A Story That Resonates
Ann Mayers' case has left many asking: Could this have been prevented? Her family insists she was a victim first, scammed into financial ruin. But her decision to rob a bank with a firearm left others victimized in the process.
Ultimately, this tragic story highlights the importance of protecting vulnerable adults from scams and providing support before desperation leads to irreversible actions. It's a cautionary tale about how quickly someone's life can unravel — and how a single act of desperation can change everything.
References: 75-year-old Hamilton woman pleads guilty to robbing bank | 74-year-old Ohio woman charged with bank robbery was victim of a scam, family says | 75-year-old Ohio woman sentenced after pleading guilty to robbing bank
