A 24‑year‑old home‑health aide and her partner are accused of siphoning an elderly woman’s credit card data, spending more than $1,200 on subscriptions, gambling bets, gas and social media followers.
Investigation Begins
The investigation started on Thursday, May 22, 2025, when a woman visited the Upper Dublin Police Department to report suspected credit card fraud against her 81‑year‑old mother. She said she had noticed fraudulent charges on three of her mother’s cards. The charges totaled more than $1,200 and included payments for social media followers, gas, Apple, FanDuel, Roku, Hulu, and Uber, according to investigators.
New Charges Surface
More than two months later, on July 30, 2025, the woman reported additional fraudulent charges on a fourth card belonging to her mother. The police executed search warrants on the companies linked to the purchases and on Comcast to identify the IP addresses associated with some of the transactions.
Home‑Health Aide Connection
The victim also revealed that she had hired three home‑health aides who worked for her mother between April 18, 2025, and May 20, 2025. Investigators traced several of the credit card purchases to one of those aides, Grace Mercer, and to Mercer’s partner, Mohammad Teye, as stated in the criminal complaint. Both Mercer and Teye lived at the same Philadelphia address that matched the shipping information for some of the orders.
Surveillance Evidence
Police reviewed surveillance video from an Exxon Gas Station on North 63rd Street in Philadelphia. The footage showed a blue Dodge Charger and a driver who was ultimately identified as Teye, according to the criminal complaint. Investigators also connected one of the cards used to an Upper Darby address that belonged to both Teye and Mercer.
Legal Status
Grace Mercer turned herself in over the weekend and was later released on a signature bond. She is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on January 9, 2026. Mohammad Teye has also been charged but has not yet appeared in court. Online court records do not list legal representation for either suspect.
Key Takeaways
- Grace Mercer and Mohammad Teye face forgery, conspiracy, and receiving stolen property charges.
- The fraud involved more than $1,200 in unauthorized purchases, including social media followers, gaming, and gas.
- Investigators linked the crimes to surveillance footage and IP address tracking.
The case highlights how easily personal data can be misused and underscores the importance of monitoring credit card activity, especially for vulnerable elderly customers. The investigation is ongoing, and further developments are expected as the legal process continues.
