The Alabama Department of Insurance Fraud Bureau has charged an Andalusia woman with theft after investigating an elderly couple’s lost of more than $60,000 from their annuity investment accounts.

According to a press release from the bureau, Lemeka S. Pate, 32, of Andalusia was arrested on July 24 and charged with first-degree theft, a class B felony. Bond was set at $20,000. If convicted, she could face up to 20 years in prison.

According to the statement, the Fraud Bureau received a complaint in May stating that an elderly couple lost more than $60,000 from their annuity investment accounts by use of deception. Investigators determined Pate got the money after telling the couple a series of hardship stories and asking them for help.