Virginia woman charged with identity fraud in Foxboro bank theft investigation

A Virginia woman is facing criminal charges after a monthslong investigation into money stolen from a Foxboro, Massachusetts couple's bank account.

Earlier this year, NBC10 Boston Responds helped that couple recover nearly $40,000 that was stolen from their bank account through check fraud after Santander Bank initially denied their claim.

Now, Monika M. Jaworska, whose named appeared on the fraudulent charges, is facing an identity fraud charge following an investigation by the Foxboro Police Department. Court records show a clerk-magistrate found probable cause to charge Jaworska in May.

The new charge follows reporting by NBC10 Boston Responds, which uncovered links between the fraudulent checks and a woman with the same name who had previously been convicted in a federal bank fraud case.

Eight fraudulent checks drained family account

The case began when Mark Henderson discovered eight unauthorized checks had been cashed from his Santander account. Each check was for $4,880, totaling $39,040.

The money came from a family estate account that held proceeds from the sale of Henderson's family home after his father's death.

The couple reached out to NBC10 Boston Responds, saying Santander would not return more than $30,000 stolen from them through check fraud because they didn't report it fast enough.

The checks dated August and September 2025, all carried the same printed name -- Monika Jaworska -- and the same address in Sterling, Virginia.

"I said, 'That's not my name, that's not even me,'" Henderson told NBC10 Boston Responds earlier this year. "So right away, I called the branch."

Henderson reported the fraud to both Santander and Foxboro police in October 2025. Santander initially denied most of his claim, citing a 30-day reporting requirement in its account agreement, though the bank later issued a partial credit.

After NBC10 Boston Responds contacted the bank with findings from its investigation, Santander ultimately reimbursed the Hendersons the full $39,040.

Detective traced check order to Virginia address

Before NBC10 Boston’s original story aired in April, a Foxboro police official told the Consumer Investigative team the case would be assigned to a detective.

According to Detective Patrick Lydon's report filed in Wrentham District Court in August, the checks shared a distinctive "National Parks" design. The detective determined the design was available through online check-printing websites owned by one company.

Using a search warrant, police obtained records showing that an order for checks bearing Henderson's account numbers was placed online in August 2025. The records showed the checks were shipped to Monika Jaworska at the Sterling, Virginia address printed on the checks.

As part of the investigation, Lydon contacted people who received and deposited some of the checks.

One recipient, a woman in Hawaii named Brenda, told police she was contacted by Jaworska about cleaning an empty housing unit. She said she expected to be paid $1,000 but instead received a check for $4,880.

According to the police report, Brenda said she was instructed to keep part of the money and send the rest back through Western Union. The detective concluded she appeared to be an unwitting participant in a common overpayment or forwarded-funds scheme rather than a knowing accomplice.

Another recipient, named Teauna, told police she received a check from a man she met on a dating website who called himself "David." Teauna said she was instructed to keep $2,300 and send the remainder back through bitcoin.

In his report, Detective Lydon wrote that both accounts were consistent with money-laundering schemes in which recipients are directed to keep a portion of fraudulently obtained funds and return the remainder using methods designed to make the money harder to trace.

In June, NBC10 Boston Responds traveled to Sterling, Virginia, and visited the address listed on the fraudulent checks.

A woman who answered the door denied any knowledge of the case.

Identity fraud charge

In May 2026, Detective Lydon sought a criminal complaint charging Jaworska with identity fraud under Massachusetts law. Court records show a clerk-magistrate found probable cause and authorized the case to move forward.

The Foxboro detective also wrote in his report that Monika Jaworska was found guilty in 2020 of Conspiracy to commit bank fraud and to defraud the United States from charges stemming from an FBI investigation into COVID-19 Fraud involving the Paycheck Protection Program.

NBC10 Boston Investigators obtained copies of court records from that federal case.

In a signed statement of facts, Jaworska admitted that she and her husband submitted 18 fraudulent PPP loan applications through four Virginia business entities. Prosecutors alleged the applications falsely claimed the businesses had employees, payroll expenses and business operations that did not actually exist. The applications sought more than $6.6 million in loans, and approximately $1.4 million was disbursed before much of the money was frozen or recovered.

In December 2020, Jaworska was sentenced to time served and two years supervised release.

Jaworska is scheduled for arraignment on the identity theft charge in Wrentham District Court on Oct. 30.

“I appreciate everything that you've done in order for us to get our money back,” Henderson said after receiving an update on the investigation by NBC10 Boston Responds. 

“When you see stuff like that, you figure somebody made up a name, made up an address, and it's not true. You'll never get anywhere. But, this person actually lives there. It's just amazing. This whole story is amazing,” said Henderson. “Again, I thank Channel 10 and the Foxboro Police Department. I appreciate everybody's work in this. It just gives you a good feeling that there are people out there that care and will help you in time of need.”

It remains unclear how Henderson's Santander account information was obtained and used to create the checks.

NBC10 Boston Responds has reached out to Santander Bank for comment on the developments in the police investigation and whether the bank has conducted any internal review related to the case. 

In an email, a Santander Bank Media Relations representative wrote, “We are unable to comment on an investigation. Santander assists law enforcement as appropriate, and we would refer questions regarding this matter to the authorities.”

If you have a consumer complaint and need help, contact NBC10 Boston Responds through the consumer complaint form on our website.

If you have a consumer problem, contact NBC10 Boston Responds by filling out our online consumer complaint form. We will get back to you!