Georgia Man Accused of Posing as Woman With AI and Voice Changer to Catfish Online Daters

A Georgia man is accused of creating a fake female persona that became so convincing, one victim reportedly believed he was engaged to her.

Law&Crime reported on Sunday, September 6, that authorities said Caleb Mills was behind the online persona known as “Hailey Morello” — a supposed female sheriff’s deputy whom one victim believed he was engaged to without ever meeting in person.

Mills, 25, allegedly relied on photographs taken from women’s social media accounts, several phone numbers, artificial intelligence, and voice-changing technology to maintain the identity.

In an official press release posted on Facebook on September 3, the Athens-Clarke County Police Department said one victim gave money to the person he believed was Hailey and exchanged vehicles with Mills as part of the alleged scheme.

Police said the photos used for the identity belonged to a real sheriff’s deputy in Florida.

The victim’s relatives eventually became suspicious and tried to convince him he was being catfished.

According to police, their concerns ultimately helped lead investigators to Mills.

“Mills allegedly used photos taken from women’s social media accounts to create fake identities and accounts … to establish online relationships with victims,” police said. “Detectives have identified additional victims across multiple states.”

According to Fox Carolina, investigators said Mills was arrested on multiple charges, including 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. Authorities also allege he identified himself to investigators as “Alex Morello” before his arrest.

According to the outlet, police said investigators have identified other potential victims in multiple states, and the investigation remains ongoing. Officials further allege that Mills continued carrying out fraudulent activity after bonding out following his arrest, and additional charges could be filed.