Tulare Police Arrest Suspect in Elder Financial Scam Involving $130,000
Photo courtesy of Tulare PD
“On 1-09-25, 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 He originally made a wire transfer but because of the victim having mobility issues, the suspects agreed to send someone to his house to pick up cash.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 1-10-25. 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 on surveillance at the victim’s residence and took a suspect into custody when he arrived to collect the money. He 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.
We want to remind the citizens of Tulare to check on their loved ones and have conversations with them regarding scams such as this.”
