Community creates online fundraiser after 77-year-old Massachusetts cancer-stricken purple heart Vietnam vet scammed out of $20,000

An ill Massachusetts man has been scammed out of thousands, authorities say.

According to Chief Paul Strong, on Friday, Sergeant Hall was contacted by Sergeant Dupont (Patrol Supervisor day shift) and requested to respond for a call for service to assist Officer Monzione. Sergeant Dupont and Officer Monzione were concerned after learning that an elderly Everett housing resident, a 77-year-old male, later revealed through a GoFundMe fundraiser as cancer-stricken purple heart Vietnam veteran Charles Fagone, had been swindled out of $20,000 cash on Thursday evening.

After speaking with the alleged victim, Officer Monzione and team members from several different units worked together to investigate the theft, get the victim the assistance he needs, and eventually, “with some luck”, make an arrest of a subject, believed to be directly involved in the scam.

After losing $20,000 in cash, taken from him, the victim was contacted again, by the “scammers”, to produce another $32,000 in cash, that would be picked up outside his residence, by an “officer” or “agent” involved in the larceny.

An undercover operation was initiated in an attempt to lure the suspect out and to place him under arrest.

After several hours of planning and patience an individual arrived and was subsequently arrested for the $20,000 theft the evening prior and the attempted theft of another $32,000 in cash.

Hongfei Huang was held without bail on charges of Larceny Over $1200 By False Pretense, Larceny Over $250 From 60+/Disabled Person, and Attempted Larceny From 60+/Disabled Person.

Several search warrants are pending on this case and officers/investigators will be following up with elder affairs, the victims bank, and the DA’s office.

Chief Paul Strong asks the public to remind your elderly family members that if anyone attempts to reach out to them by phone or email asking for a large sum of money that it is a scam.

“It’s probably also a good idea to have a two-step process if your family member wants to withdraw a large amount of money from their bank account that a family member needs to be present.”