Elderly man scammed out of ,000, money sent to empty house in Irvine, according to police.

A 41-year-old man has been arrested in connection with a scam targeting an elderly individual who reportedly sent ,000 in cash to a vacant rental property located in Irvine, California. This incident came to light following a call to the police from the property owner on August 14, who observed suspicious activity outside the residence situated in the Westpark neighborhood, near Laconia and Amore streets.

Irvine Police spokesperson Kyle Oldoerp provided details about the situation, explaining that the homeowner, using security camera footage, documented a man approaching the entrance of the property. This individual was seen covering a realtor lockbox with paper and waiting at the doorstep to collect a package delivered by a UPS driver. According to Oldoerp, this behavior suggests a potential ongoing operation that exploits unoccupied homes for illicit activities.

Responding officers arrived at the scene and initiated a conversation with the suspect, leading to further investigation. Authorities discovered that the elderly victim had complied with a request from an individual impersonating a bank representative. The caller had informed him of a supposed error involving a ,000 deposit that had been mistakenly credited to his account, instructing him to return the funds. Trusting this fraudulent claim, the victim mailed the cash to the vacant property.

As officers detained the suspect from Rosemead, they found him in possession of at least ,000 in cash—an amount in addition to the ,000 meant for the elderly victim. Law enforcement officials are now expanding their inquiry to determine the full extent of the suspect’s involvement in this scheme while also seeking to identify any accomplices or additional victims of this fraudulent operation.

This incident highlights growing concerns about scams targeting vulnerable populations, particularly elderly individuals who may be less familiar with the tactics employed by fraudsters. Police urge community members to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities, especially in residential neighborhoods known to harbor vacant properties. Investigators continue to work diligently to prevent further victimization and protect residents from deceptive practices.

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