More than $1 million stolen from elderly Menlo man, police say More than $1 million stolen from elderly Menlo man, police say (February 18, 2004)

"Be careful to whom you lend money" might be the lesson to take away from the case of an elderly Menlo Park man who, police said, had more than $1 million stolen over six years by an acquaintance who had done landscaping and contracting work for him.

After a year-long investigation, Menlo Park police arrested Sosaia Limu Meafoou, 44, of Redwood City on February 10 on charges of grand theft, elder abuse, fraud and tax evasion, said Det. Bill Massey.

Mr. Meafoou befriended the elderly man, eventually asking him to finance construction jobs in other cities, Det. Massey said. In debt, Mr. Meafoou put off paying the elderly man by telling him he owned property in Tonga that he would be selling, Det. Massey said.

Mr. Meafoou is being held in San Mateo County jail for unrelated charges of felony theft and contractor fraud in Santa Clara County. He is also being held in lieu of $1.3 million bail for the Menlo Park charges.

Anyone with information on Mr. Meafoou is asked to call Det. Massey at 330-6363.

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