Albany Man Scammed Out of $568,000 by Caretakers

Devin Zielinski and Amber Diacetis convicted for stealing from 87-year-old victim

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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A 33-year-old Albany man named Devin Zielinski was recently sentenced to up to six years in state prison for scamming an 87-year-old Albany resident out of over $568,000. Zielinski worked with Amber Diacetis to become the victim's live-in caretakers, gain control of his finances, and steal his monthly pension and Social Security payments over an extended period.

Why it matters

This case highlights the vulnerability of elderly individuals to financial exploitation and the importance of carefully vetting caretakers who are given access to an elderly person's finances. Scams targeting the elderly are a growing problem, and this incident underscores the need for greater awareness and protection for seniors.

The details

Zielinski and Diacetis met the 87-year-old victim online and convinced him to allow them to become his live-in caretakers. They then gained control of his monthly pension and Social Security payments, totaling $3,526 and $2,138 respectively. Over time, the perpetrators stole $338,000 in pension and Social Security income, as well as an additional $230,000 in cash from the victim.

  • In 2026, Devin Zielinski was sentenced to up to six years in state prison for the scam.
  • The scam occurred over an extended period, with Zielinski and Diacetis gaining control of the victim's finances in their role as live-in caretakers.

The players

Devin Zielinski

A 33-year-old Albany resident who was convicted and sentenced to up to six years in state prison for scamming an 87-year-old Albany man out of over $568,000.

Amber Diacetis

An Albany resident who worked with Devin Zielinski to become the 87-year-old victim's live-in caretakers and gain control of his finances.

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What they’re saying

“We must do more to protect our elderly from these types of predatory scams. This case is a heartbreaking example of how vulnerable seniors can be when they trust the wrong people.”

— Letitia James, New York Attorney General

What’s next

The New York Attorney General's office is urging anyone who believes they may be a victim of a similar scam to contact their office at 1-800-771-7755 or visit their phone scam webpage for assistance.

The takeaway

This case underscores the importance of carefully vetting caretakers who are given access to an elderly person's finances, and the need for greater awareness and protection against financial exploitation of seniors. It serves as a sobering reminder that scams targeting the vulnerable elderly are an ongoing problem that requires vigilance and action to address.