Miami Housekeeper Accused of Stealing Nearly $100K With Homeowner’s Credit Card

A Miami housekeeper has been arrested after allegedly stealing nearly $100,000 through unauthorized use of her employer’s credit card, according to authorities. Maria Yaquelin Zeron, 49, was taken into custody on Friday and charged with second-degree grand theft and fraudulent use of personal identification. Zeron had been working for the victim since 2021. However, according to an arrest report, the financial misconduct didn’t begin until 2023. The homeowner became suspicious after noticing unexplained charges on her American Express statement.

Discovery of Fraudulent Activity

The victim began investigating the charges herself and discovered her credit card had been linked to an Amazon account under the name “Angela,” which used a completely different billing and shipping address. Concerned, she contacted Amazon and then the American Express fraud department. Between January 2023 and September 2024, the card had been used for more than $82,000 in unauthorized purchases, according to the report. Upon further review, the victim found additional fraudulent transactions made through Instacart, bringing the total amount stolen to a staggering $99,627.

Deliveries Traced to Housekeeper’s Home

Investigators quickly narrowed in on Zeron after tracing the deliveries from both Amazon and Instacart to her home address. The arrest report indicated that multiple items purchased through the fraudulent transactions were sent directly to Zeron’s residence. This concrete evidence led authorities to conclude that Zeron was behind the theft. She voluntarily surrendered to the Golden Beach Police Department on Friday and was subsequently booked into jail.

Court Appearance and Legal Proceedings

Zeron appeared before a judge over the weekend, where her bond was set at $5,000. She now faces serious felony charges and could face significant prison time if convicted. The case serves as a stark reminder to homeowners and employers about the importance of regularly monitoring financial accounts, even when working with trusted long-term employees. Authorities also emphasized the growing role of online shopping platforms like Amazon and Instacart in both uncovering and executing identity-related fraud. The investigation remains ongoing, and it is not yet known whether any of the stolen funds or merchandise has been recovered.