CHAMPIONSGATE, Fla. — A 36-year-old Florida woman was arrested Wednesday and charged with fraud in an alleged "romance scam" that officials say targeted an 87-year-old Holocaust survivor. 

In all, investigators say the woman, ChampionsGate resident Peaches Stergo, allegedly stole more than $2.8 million in the scam and used the funds to purchase a home in a gated community, a boat, cars, jewelry and numerous other luxury items.

As a result of the alleged scheme, officials reported that the victim lost his life savings and was forced to give up his apartment. 

The arrest was announced Wednesday by Damian Williams, the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York. 

"As alleged, for years, Stergo deceived an 87-year-old Holocaust survivor, maliciously draining his life savings so she could become a millionaire through fraud," Williams said in a statement. " Stergo forged documents and impersonated a bank employee in exchange for a life of fancy trips, Rolex watches, and luxury purchases.  Today’s arrest reemphasizes this Office’s commitment to seeking justice for victims of financial frauds."

FBI Assistant Director Michael Driscoll added to the statement. "Today we allege the defendant callously preyed on a senior citizen simply seeking companionship, defrauding him of his life savings.  The FBI is determined to get justice for victims of fraud and to ensure that scammers face justice for their actions."

The indictment in the case, which was unsealed Wednesday, alleges that Stergo began the scheme in 2017 and told the victim that "she had settled a lawsuit involving injuries she suffered in a car accident, but that her lawer would not release the settlement funds unless he received a certain amount of money."

After the first $25,000 payment, Stergo — who was known to the victim as Alice — is accused of demanding additional payments.

"The victim wrote almost monthly checks to Stergo, often in increments of $50,000," the indictment said. "After each check was deposited, Stergo told the victim that her bank needed more money, otherwise the accounts would be frozen, and the victim would never be paid back."

The charges also allege that Stergo created a fake email address to pose as a bank employee, telling him that Stergo's account had a hold on it that would "only be lifted if many tens of thousands of dollars were deposited into her account." 

Eventually, investigators say the man told his son about the situation.

"The victim's son told his father that he had been scammed," the indictment said. "After that, the victim stopped writing checks to Stergo."

Investigators accused Stergo of stealing the money to live "a life of luxury with the millions she received from the fraud."

"During the course of the fraud, Stergo also took expensive trips, staying at places like the Ritz Carlton, and spent many tens of thousands of dollars on expensive meals, gold coins and bars, jewelry, Rolex watches, adn designer clothing from stores like Tiffany, Ralph Lauren, Neiman Marcus, Louis Vuitton, and Hermes," the indictment said.

Stergo was arrested Wednesday in Florida and charged with wire fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.

The case has been assigned to U.S. District Judge Edgardo Ramos.