A New York man has been charged with scamming a Purple Heart Vietnam War veteran out of $20,000 in Everett, Massachusetts. Huang Hongfei faces charges of larceny over $1,200 by false pretense, larceny over $250 from a person 60 years or older, and attempted larceny from a disabled person 60 years or older. The victim, Charles Fagone, who has cancer, reported the scam to Everett Police on Sept. 13. Police conducted an undercover operation to arrest the suspects after they requested an additional $32,000 from Fagone. Hongfei was arrested in connection with the scam and attempted theft.
Everett Police Chief Paul Strong commended the officers for their efforts in assisting Fagone, a 77-year-old veteran, in a professional manner. Several search warrants are pending in the case, with officers working with elder affairs, Fagone’s bank, and the Middlesex District Attorney’s office. A GoFundMe account has been set up to help Fagone recover the $20,000 he lost, with over $7,000 raised as of Monday afternoon.
This incident highlights the vulnerability of seniors to financial scams and the importance of community support in helping victims recover from such crimes. The case serves as a reminder for everyone to be vigilant and report any suspicious activity to authorities to prevent further exploitation of vulnerable individuals.
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Photo credit www.masslive.com
