PHOENIX – Attorney General Kris Mayes today announced that California resident Donald Franklin Huegel was convicted and sentenced for his part in a romance scam that defrauded two elderly Arizonans. Huegel participated in the criminal enterprise for two years by funneling money from victims to his co-conspirators in Africa. The victims were each contacted by someone posing as a romantic interest online, who fostered a relationship and then began to ask the victim to send money to different accounts.
"Criminals defrauding elderly individuals should be put on notice that my office will find you, and we prosecute you," said Attorney General Mayes. "No Arizonan deserves to be manipulated emotionally and defrauded of their hard-earned money – especially elderly Arizonans. This sentencing serves as a stark warning to those who prey on individuals through deception and fraud: we will hold you accountable to the fullest extent of the law."
The first victim responded to a fake online profile and began a romantic dialog with someone she believed was named "Chad Callahan." "Chad" asked her for money to assist him personally, but when she resisted providing more money, she was contacted by other members of the romance scam who told her that her identity had been placed on the Dark Web.
The victim sent thousands of dollars to get her identity allegedly cleared from the Dark Web. In total, the victim sent over $90,000 to four different accounts. Of that total, $26,000 was sent to Huegel for him to pass on to other members of the criminal enterprise. During the investigation, after the victim's ability to transfer funds electronically had been stopped, she mailed Huegel an additional money order for $24,000.
The romance scammers also preyed upon a second elderly Arizona victim who sent over $367,000 to Huegel. She was also taken in by a fake profile for "Michael Williams" on Match.com.
The scams Huegel participated in stole nearly $400,000 from elderly Arizona victims. Huegel was convicted by a jury of fraudulent schemes and artifices, illegally conducting an enterprise, money laundering, and theft.
On March 26, 2024, Pima County Superior Court Judge Richard Gordon sentenced Huegel to 4 years in prison for his conduct, followed by three years on probation. A hearing will be set to determine restitution for the victims.
Attorney General Mayes urges the public to be vigilant online and take steps to avoid being defrauded.
Tips to Avoid Falling Victim to Scams:
- Verify Information: Before acting, hang up and independently verify the caller's legitimacy by directly contacting the organization they claim to represent. Never use the contact details they provide — call whoever they claim to represent directly. Scammers can mask numbers, making it appear that a legitimate company or organization is calling you.
- Be Skeptical: Always be skeptical of unsolicited calls, especially those asking for immediate action involving financial transactions. A government agency will never ask you to remove money from your accounts to send via Bitcoin, wire transfer, or gift cards.
- Secure Your Personal Information: Never share personal information like your social security number, bank account details, or passwords over the phone with unknown callers or give anyone real-time access to your computer.
- Consult Trusted Individuals: Consult with a trusted family member or friend before making substantial financial decisions, especially those involving digital currencies like Bitcoin.
- Report Suspicious Activity: If something feels off, it probably is. Report the call to local law enforcement or file a complaint with the Arizona Attorney General's Office.
If you believe you have been the victim of fraud, you can file a complaint by visiting https://www.azag.gov/complaints/criminal. If you need a complaint form sent to you, contact the Attorney General’s Office at (602) 542-8888.
If you believe you have been the victim of identity theft, contact the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at http://www.identitytheft.gov or (877)-438-4338 for help.