Man Was Engaged to a Woman He'd Never Met. One Phone Call Exposed the Alleged Ruse

A Georgia man believed he was engaged to a female sheriff's deputy he had never met His call to his supposed fiancée allegedly rang on Caleb Mills' phone A police report said the victim was 'in shock' when investigators revealed the alleged ruse A Georgia man who believed he was engaged to a female Florida sheriff's deputy was 'in shock' when a phone call allegedly revealed that his supposed fiancée was actually a man from South Carolina. The alleged deception came to light after an Athens-Clarke County police officer instructed the victim to call his fiancée, whom he knew as 'Hailey Morello,' according to 11Alive, which cited a police report. When the victim placed the call, the phone of 25-year-old Caleb Jonquay Mills allegedly began ringing. The victim's photograph appeared on Mills' phone under the contact name 'hubbs,' the outlet reported. Police then told the victim that Mills was allegedly the person who had been posing as his fiancée. The police report said the victim was 'in shock,' per 11Alive. Investigators allege Mills used photographs taken from the personal Facebook account of a real female sheriff's deputy in Florida to construct the 'Hailey Morello' identity. He allegedly maintained fake social media accounts and used technology that altered his voice to sound like a woman during phone calls, according to the outlet. Caleb MillsCredit: Athens-Clarke County Police The victim had never met his purported fiancée in person but allegedly sent money and allowed her to use his car, 11Alive reported. Investigators said Mills and the victim exchanged vehicles as part of the alleged scheme. The victim's family had become suspicious of the relationship and tried to convince him that he was being catfished, creating significant tension between them, according to the outlet. Family members reportedly conducted their own investigation and identified Mills as the person they believed was behind the fictitious identity. Police responded to a family dispute at the victim's apartment on July 11. During the response, the supposed fiancée participated by speakerphone and identified herself as a law enforcement officer, according to 11Alive. The following day, someone claiming to be the victim allegedly called police and complained that his family was harassing him. The caller also complained about how an officer had treated the supposed fiancée. The same person allegedly called again four days later to ask what action police had taken. Investigators allege Mills placed both calls while posing as the victim. A police supervisor became suspicious because the calls came from a South Carolina area code rather than the number police had on file for the victim, 11Alive reported. On July 20, an investigator went to the victim's apartment and saw his vehicle arrive. When the driver got out, the officer recognized him as Mills, according to the outlet. Mills allegedly identified himself as 'Alex Morello' and claimed Caleb Mills was his brother. The officer later asked the victim who had his car, and the victim responded that his fiancée had it. The officer then instructed him to call her, prompting Mills' phone to allegedly ring. Police also suspect Mills may have stayed inside the victim's apartment without his knowledge while the victim was at work, according to 11Alive. Mills was arrested on July 20 for identity fraud and other alleged offenses, the Athens-Clarke County Police Department said. In a Sept. 3 Facebook post, the department said detectives had identified additional alleged victims across multiple states. Police said Mills allegedly used women's social media photos to create fictitious identities and establish online relationships. The department urged people to use caution when someone they have never met begins requesting money, gifts or other items. 'As technology and artificial intelligence continue to evolve, online scams and catfishing schemes can become increasingly sophisticated,' police said. Anyone who believes they may have been targeted in the alleged scheme is asked to file a police report. Read the original article on People