Caleb Mills (Athens-Clarke County Police Department).
A Georgia man allegedly carried on an elaborate online romance with a person he believed was a female sheriff’s deputy, going so far as to think they were engaged, send money and allow the person to use his vehicle, police said. Investigators now say the supposed deputy was not who “she” claimed to be.
Caleb Mills, 25, is accused of building the fictional persona “Hailey Morello” using stolen photographs, several phone numbers, voice-altering tools and artificial intelligence as part of an alleged effort to “defraud unsuspecting victims,” the Athens-Clarke County Police Department said in a press release.
According to police, one alleged victim believed he was engaged to “Hailey” and exchanged vehicles with Mills in addition to giving him an undisclosed amount of money. Authorities said Mills used images of a real sheriff’s deputy in Florida to help create and support the fake identity.
“Mills allegedly used photos taken from women’s social media accounts to create fake identities and accounts … to establish online relationships with victims,” the ACCPD said. Detectives also reported finding additional alleged victims in multiple states.
Family members of the man who believed he was engaged to “Hailey” told investigators they had grown suspicious and feared he was being targeted in a “catfishing scheme,” local NBC affiliate WXIA reported.
Relatives allegedly traced the online persona back to Mills and attempted to warn the victim, but police said he did not believe them. The family’s concerns escalated into repeated attempts to contact Mills, prompting him to file a harassment complaint with authorities while allegedly posing as “Hailey,” according to WXIA.
As officers looked into that harassment report, they uncovered what they describe as Mills’ alleged catfishing operation. Police said he had presented himself as a member of Hailey’s family while reporting the harassment he claimed she was facing.
Mills was arrested on charges of identity fraud involving fictitious identifying information, impersonating a public officer, giving a false name to law enforcement and two counts of making false statements in a government matter.
He is accused of giving investigators a false name, “Alex Morello,” before he was taken into custody. Police are still investigating whether Mills had more victims.
“As technology and artificial intelligence continue to evolve, online scams and catfishing schemes can become increasingly sophisticated,” the ACCPD release said. “If you believe you may be a victim of this investigation or any other fraudulent activity, please contact the Athens-Clarke County Police Department and file a report.”
The post Man tricked into engagement with non-existent woman, hands over car and cash to the male ‘catfish’ after falling victim to AI and voice changers: Police first appeared on Law & Crime.
