3 family members charged with draining elderly Bellevue woman’s $1M in assets
Aug 3, 2026, 11:32 AM
A Bellevue Police Department vehicle. (Photo courtesy of the Bellevue Police Department)
(Photo courtesy of the Bellevue Police Department)
The Bellevue Police Department (BPD) has arrested three relatives accused of stealing more than $1 million from an 88-year-old woman after gaining power of attorney over her finances and property.
Police said Abner Eng, 58; Manivone Misaengsay, 49; and Evun Eng, 24, described as distant family members, swiftly moved to take control of the woman’s assets after learning she had been diagnosed with a medical condition.
How the scheme allegedly worked
According to BPD and court records:
- May 23, 2024: The 88-year-old victim was diagnosed with a medical condition.
- June 14, 2024: Abner Eng was granted power of attorney over the victim; Evun Eng was listed as an alternate.
- June 14, 2024: Victim signed documents gifting ownership of her Bellevue residence to the youngest suspect.
- July 2024: Victim moved into an assisted living facility.
- October 2024: Victim’s former residence, now in the suspects’ possession, was sold for $917,400. Later that month, the suspects purchased a home in Kent for $715,000.
Investigators said the victim did not benefit from the sale of the home. Instead, police alleged the suspects used the proceeds to buy the Kent property for themselves.
BPD Public Information Officer Drew Anderson said detectives later discovered the suspects had also been draining the victim’s bank accounts.
From June 2024 through September 2025, investigators said the trio accessed the victim’s accounts numerous times, spending a total of $194,965.04.
Police alleged the money went toward items unrelated to the victim’s care, including: food and entertainment, bills tied to the Kent residence, home improvement projects, and shopping purchases.
“The crime is that none of the decisions that they made benefited the victim,” Anderson said. “Investigators developed probable cause for theft of a vulnerable adult, money laundering, and identity theft.”
Victim left in state-funded care
By September 23, 2025, the King County Superior Court granted full guardianship and conservatorship of the woman to another distant relative. But by then, police said the damage was essentially done.
The victim’s finances had been so depleted that in April 2026, she was moved into a state-funded assisted living facility.
Arrests and charges
Following what Anderson described as a lengthy and detailed investigation, BPD said it established probable cause to arrest the three suspects.
On Tuesday, July 28, around 6:00 a.m., law enforcement served warrants at two locations: 13000 block of S.E. 261st Place — where Abner Eng and Manivone Misaengsay were arrested, and 20500 block of 24th Ave S. in SeaTac — where Evun Eng was arrested
Each suspect was arrested on suspicion of first-degree theft from a vulnerable adult, first-degree money laundering, and first-degree identity theft.
‘It can happen anywhere’
Anderson said this case is a stark example of how quickly vulnerable older adults can be exploited, often by people they know and trust.
The victim’s diagnosis came in late May 2024; by mid-June, suspects had power of attorney and ownership of her home, and within months, her residence had been sold, and her accounts were being drained.
“These kinds of crimes can happen anywhere in any community,” Anderson said. “We urge families to be especially alert when a loved one receives a serious medical diagnosis that may affect their judgment, memory, or decision-making.”
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Police urge vigilance, quick action
BPD asked community members to:
- Stay connected with older and vulnerable loved ones.
- Monitor bank accounts and spending patterns for unusual activity.
- Help protect valuables and important documents.
- Watch for sudden changes in who is managing finances, living arrangements, and legal documents, such as powers of attorney or property transfers.
If abuse is suspected, police said do not wait. People are urged to call 911 to report suspected abuse, notify Adult Protective Services, and contact a trusted healthcare provider if they see signs of neglect, financial exploitation, or unusual changes in behavior or circumstances.
Anderson said early reporting can prevent further harm and help ensure vulnerable adults get the support and protection they need.
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