2 in California Arrested for $487k Theft from Orange City Woman

Two residents of California have been arrested in connection to a massive theft from a resident of Orange City, the Volusia Sheriff’s Office announced this week. 56-year-old Jason Hellawell and 33-year-old Ariel Wang are accused of scamming a 61-year-old Volusia County woman out of nearly half a million dollars. According to the VSO, the pair made the victim believe she owed large amounts of money in taxes. They were said to have hacked into the email account of the woman’s accountant, giving the situation an air of legitimacy. After making contact with the victim, Hellawell and Wang allegedly got her to transfer $487,350 to them. The case was investigated by the VSO’s Financial Crimes Unit, who were reportedly able to identify the two Californians as the suspects in the case. Hellawell was arrested in California, while Wang came to Volusia County of her own volition to turn herself in at the Volusia County Branch Jail. Hellawell is charged with money laundering and grand theft over $100,000. Wang is charged with money laundering, grand theft over $100,000, and running an organized scheme to defraud. Additional charges may be levied against the two suspects either in Volusia County or in their home jurisdictions. Though unconfirmed, Hellawell’s online presence appears to indicate that he works in the real estate industry in Los Angeles County. “2 more thieving scumbag scammers locked up courtesy of the Volusia Sheriff’s Office Financial Crimes Unit,” commented Volusia Sheriff Mike Chitwood on Facebook after the incident. “Great job!!”