Elder Abuse Scam in Tulare

On January 9, the Tulare Police Department received a call regarding a possible scam. The elderly male victim had already lost $130,000 and suspects were actively trying to get him to provide another $90,000.

A family member found out and immediately contacted the Tulare Police Department.

The suspects convinced the victim they were some type of "trading company" and offered the victim an opportunity to invest and make money. The victim was instructed to download a phone application officers believe to be fictitious.

With this application, the victim could keep tabs on his account and see his money grow. It appeared he was making money so he continued to invest. He originally made a wire transfer, but because of the victim having mobility issues, the suspects agreed to send someone to his house to pick up cash.

The face-to-face transactions occurred on two different occasions at the victim's residence.

The third face-to-face transaction was scheduled to occur on January 10. The suspects told the victim he had to provide $90,000 to close his account and retrieve the $990,000 he was owed according to the phone application.

The suspects told the victim the $90,000 was to pay some fines because of some illegal trading he had done. Once the fines were paid, he could close his account and collect his money.

This investigation was referred to the Tulare Police Department's Crimes Specific Unit. Members of this unit set up surveillance at the victim's residence and took a suspect into custody when he arrived to collect the money.

The suspect was transported to the Tulare Police Department for booking and interview. He was later transported to the Tulare County Jail where he was booked on several charges including financial elder abuse, theft under false pretenses, and grand theft.

The suspect is identified as 28-year-old Hailong He, who provided an address in Canada.