SMPD Detectives Arrest Man for Scamming Elderly Residents out of Hundreds of Thousands of Dollars in Fake Home Maintenance Repairs 
An unlicensed furnace installer preyed upon elderly customers falsely representing repairs or installations, charging them over $250,000 since 2019.
San Mateo, CA – On Wednesday, July 13, 2022, suspect, Ricardo Sandoval, self-surrendered at the San Mateo County Jail, on an arrest warrant issued stemming from an investigation into Financial Elder Abuse, which began in August 2021.
Sandoval, an unlicensed furnace installer and repairman, targeted established elderly customers of his employer, offering his services on the side at a lower cost and then charged exorbitant rates for doing little or no work. He also consistently claimed damage caused by rodents as a ploy to justify false work claims. Concerned family members of one victim led to the discovery of Sandoval’s scheme, which spanned several cities within the county.
Our detectives, with the assistance of the CA State Licensing Board, conducted a forensic financial audit and inspected the homes of some victims to confirm they were either grossly overcharged or work had not been performed. Several search warrants were authored for records and ultimately, a $150,000 arrest warrant was issued for Sandoval. He currently awaits prosecution by the San Mateo County District Attorney’s Office.
Elder Financial Abuse is one of 6 types of Elder Abuse. The others are physical, emotional, neglect, abandonment, and sexual abuse. They happen more often than you would think. By paying attention and checking in on our elderly, we can spot the signs of elder abuse and do something about it. Regarding financial abuse, some indicators to watch for are: 1) unexplained bank withdrawals, 2) unusual bank activity, 3) unexplained shortage of money, and of course the more obvious signs of 4) fraud or theft. If you suspect elder abuse, report it. Reports can be filed with Adult Protective Services (APS) or directly to the police department.
To learn more about Elder Abuse, visit https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/elderabuse/fastfact.html. Visit https://www.consumerfinance.gov/consumer-tools/educator-tools/resources-for-older-adults/reporting-elder-financial-abuse-guide/ for information specific to elder financial abuse.
ARRESTED:
Ricardo Sandoval, age 44, Newman, CA.
CHARGES:
3 Counts – 368(d) PC – Financial Elder Abuse
3 Counts – 7028(a) BP – Contracting without a License
Address/Location
San Mateo, CA Police Department
200 Franklin Pkwy
San Mateo, CA 94403
Contact
Emergency: 9-1-1
Non-emergencies: 650-522-7700
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