Kona police officer honored for helping scam victim recover $60K

A Kona police officer who helped an elderly woman recover $60,000 in savings after she was targeted in a phone scam has been named the Kona Crime Prevention Committee’s Officer of the Month for October 2026.

Officer Eli-Dominic Cayetano was recognized for his investigative work, compassion and quick action in recovering the money before it was shipped to the mainland.

Cayetano responded to a call about a report involving a woman who had been deceived by a caller posing as a federal officer. The caller falsely claimed the woman was under investigation for money laundering and trafficking and told her to withdraw her savings and mail the cash to designated addresses to avoid criminal charges.

Fearing the threatened consequences, the woman withdrew the $60,000 from her bank and sent the money through UPS. She later discovered the fraud after contacting police dispatch to verify that she had been cleared of wrongdoing.

When Cayetano met with the victim, he recognized that she was frightened and distressed.

He spoke with her in Ilocano, a Filipino language, helping establish trust and ease her anxiety as he began investigating the case.

Cayetano obtained the package’s tracking information and learned it had arrived on Oʻahu and was awaiting transfer to the mainland. Recognizing the urgency, he contacted UPS and coordinated with company employees to return the package to a Kona store.

The woman was able to retrieve the package and recover all $60,000.

The Kona Crime Prevention Committee recognizes a West Hawaiʻi police officer each month.

Supervisors from the area’s police districts nominate officers, and the committee’s board of directors selects the recipient. Monthly honorees are eligible for the committee’s Officer of the Year award.

October’s recognition marks Cayetano’s seventh time being named Officer of the Month.

He also received the honor in May 2026 and was named the committee’s 2026 Officer of the Year in September.