SAN FRANCISCO, CA – April 15, 2026 – Naghmeh Novbakhtian, a 35-year-old San Francisco woman, has been arrested in connection with a substantial credit card fraud operation, according to the Tiburon Police Department. The arrest, which occurred on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, follows allegations that Novbakhtian made over $60,000 in unauthorized charges on her former employer’s credit card, primarily for luxury purchases and international travel after her employment as a nanny concluded.
The Charges Against Naghmeh Novbakhtian
Naghmeh Novbakhtian faces accusations of felony credit card fraud and grand theft. Authorities allege that while employed as a nanny for a family in Tiburon from July 2025 to December 11, 2025, she had legitimate access to her employer’s credit card for childcare-related expenses. However, after her employment ended, she allegedly continued to use the card for a lavish spending spree. These unauthorized transactions reportedly included international flights, stays at luxury hotels, cosmetic and spa services, various retail purchases, ride services, and direct electronic payments to accounts linked to her. The fraudulent activity came to light when the victim’s credit card company flagged a significant increase in suspicious spending post-employment.
The scale of the alleged fraud is considerable, with total unauthorized charges exceeding $60,000. So far, only one primary victim, her former employer, has been identified in connection with these specific credit card fraud charges. However, the Tiburon Police Department is actively investigating whether Novbakhtian is linked to other criminal activities, including a previously reported residential burglary. One international business, the Spa at Oaks in Port Douglas, Australia, reportedly sustained a loss of nearly $500 due to Novbakhtian’s alleged use of the stolen credit card for treatments and fraudulent tips during her overseas travels.
Naghmeh Novbakhtian, a 35-year-old U.S. national, resided in San Francisco at the time of her arrest. Her last known professional role was as a nanny for the victim’s family. No information about her current professional affiliations or organizations has been released.
“This case highlights the critical importance of monitoring financial accounts closely, especially when individuals have authorized access to funds for specific purposes. The sudden shift from authorized childcare expenses to luxury international travel is a clear red flag for fraud.”
The investigation, led by the Tiburon Police Department, commenced on March 26, 2026, after the victim reported the fraud. Investigators tracked Novbakhtian, who was traveling internationally, and coordinated her arrest with the San Francisco Police Department upon her return to San Francisco International Airport on March 31, 2026. News of her arrest was confirmed on April 7, 2026. Detectives are continuing to gather evidence and explore potential connections to other crimes.
Naghmeh Novbakhtian was booked into San Mateo County Jail and subsequently released on $150,000 bail. The Tiburon Police Department has forwarded the case to the Marin County District Attorney’s Office for review of potential felony charges, including grand theft and fraud. As of April 7, 2026, the District Attorney’s Office had not yet received the formal recommendation for charges, and no specific court dates have been released. Information regarding trial status, conviction, sentence, or asset freezes is not yet available.
This incident serves as a stark reminder for individuals and businesses to remain vigilant against financial fraud. A significant red flag in this case was the “dramatic and unauthorized increase in spending” on the credit card after Novbakhtian’s employment ended. While authorized access for specific, limited purposes is common, any continued or escalated use for personal luxury items, particularly after a professional relationship concludes, should trigger immediate scrutiny. The nature of the purchases, including international travel and high-end services, also deviated significantly from the authorized use for childcare.
Consumers are urged to regularly review their credit card statements for any unusual activity, set up transaction alerts, and promptly report any suspicious charges to their financial institutions and law enforcement. For more information on preventing similar financial crimes, visit our related fraud investigations.
