Charles County detectives have arrested a Waldorf woman in connection with an identity theft and fraud investigation that involved unauthorized electronic payments from a victim’s bank account.
Annaya Lisette Hines, 26, of Waldorf, was taken into custody after detectives obtained a criminal summons and served a search warrant at her residence on May 14, 2026. During the search, investigators recovered evidence related to additional identity theft and fraud-related crimes. Hines was also wanted on an outstanding arrest warrant for unrelated charges and is currently on probation. Detectives determined she has been wanted in other states for similar fraud offenses in the past. She is being held without bond at the Charles County Detention Center.
The investigation began after a victim noticed unauthorized transactions while reviewing personal financial statements. Detectives determined that between September 2, 2025, and January 22, 2026, Hines fraudulently obtained the victim’s banking information and used it to make unauthorized electronic payments to cover bills. During that period, she successfully withdrew approximately $9,100 from the victim’s bank account.
As the investigation continued, financial records showed Hines had processed approximately $27,000 in transactions involving five different financial institution accounts. This indicates that additional victims may have been affected. Detective Gordon is leading the investigation, and detectives continue to examine Hines’ connection to other fraud cases.
The Charles County Sheriff’s Office is encouraging residents to take steps to protect themselves from financial fraud and identity theft. Residents should regularly review bank and credit card statements for unfamiliar charges and report suspicious transactions immediately to their bank or financial institution. Protecting sensitive financial information, using strong passwords and multi-factor authentication for online banking, and shredding documents containing personal or financial information before discarding them can help reduce risk. Monitoring credit reports for unrecognized accounts or activity is also recommended.
Anyone who believes they may be a victim of fraud is encouraged to contact the Charles County Sheriff’s Office at 301-932-2222.
Financial crimes such as identity theft and fraud remain a concern for residents across Charles County and the broader Southern Maryland region. Cases involving unauthorized access to banking information can take months to investigate, as detectives work to trace transactions and identify all affected victims.
