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GREENSBORO — Four people have been arrested and charged in what police described as an elaborate fraud and embezzlement scheme that stole an estimated $400,000 from the estate of a Greensboro woman who died in October.

The investigation centered on the estate of Betty Irene Burton, 76, of 1333 Wiley-Lewis Road, Greensboro police said.

Police Capt. Janice Rogers said a home health care nurse, Koretta King, 35, moved in with Burton to assist with her care.

After Burton’s death, Rogers said, King used fraudulent signatures to take control of a trust fund and the deed to Burton’s home and property. The home and property are valued at about $200,000, according to county tax records.

Those arrested include King; Claude Barnes, 57, of 1408 Wiley-Lewis Road; Andrea Lee Barksdale, 39, of 2019 Willow Road; and Alex Habersham, 26, of 2716 Gwaltney Road.

Police said Barnes helped oversee Burton’s financial affairs, and Barksdale, a former roommate of King’s, and Habersham worked at a local financial institution.

Police learned of the embezzlement scheme because King was on federal probation for other financial charges.

“Due to the fact she was on federal probation, things were popping up in her name and that brought red flags,” Rogers said. “There were some fraudulent signatures put on the (property) deed, and these other people helped along the way. There was also a trust fund, and all of it was spent through these people.”

King, whose listed address is Burton’s home, was charged with two counts of felony conspiracy, one count of obtaining property by false pretense, two counts of identity theft, and one count of obtaining property by false pretense.

Barnes, Barksdale and Habersham were charged with financial crimes related to felony conspiracy, obtaining property by false pretense, and identity theft. Police said all four suspects have been released from jail on bond.

A message left at Barnes’ home was not returned Thursday evening. Phone numbers for the other suspects were unlisted or disconnected.

Contact Ryan Seals at 373-7077 or ryan.seals@news-record.com