She cleaned their house — then cleaned $1.9 million out of their bank account in a 12-year fraud. How to avoid such a mess in the first place

The Federal Bureau of Investigation and detectives with the North Strabane Township Police Department in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, conducted the probe that led to her arrest. Here’s how they say she did it.

How a cleaner hoovered $1.9 million out of her client’s account

According to court documents, Roberts stole blank checks out of her clients’ shared checkbook at their home. The couple had a joint checking account at Pennsylvania-based PNC Bank.

Roberts then made out the checks to herself, generally for $3,000, forging one of the victim’s signatures each time. She would then cash the checks or deposit them in her own bank account, per court documents. PNC Bank honored the checks, drawing money out of the couple’s joint account.

In all, Roberts forged 636 fraudulent checks between January 2014 and March 2026. By the time she was charged with bank fraud, the withdrawals added up to $1,893,750.

She was charged under the bank fraud statute, which applies to “any scheme” to defraud a federal financial institution, like PNC Bank. The charge applies even if someone is stealing money from one of the bank’s clients, as long as that money is held by the bank.

Roberts is not the only one to play a long game. Catalina Corona, 62, pleaded guilty in April to stealing $10 million over the course of seven years from a retired Salomon Brothers investment banker and his wife. Corona worked as their personal assistant.

As CNBC reported, she impersonated the couple and cashed fraudulent checks to buy luxury goods. She carried out the scheme between 2017 and 2024. Corona is due to be sentenced this month. Prosecutors are recommending a prison sentence of six-and-a-half to eight years.

Such cases raise questions about the need for vigilance around who you let into your home and near your accounts.