Two people are facing the music after a high-stakes email scam nearly cost an Orange City woman her entire life savings. The Volusia Sheriff’s Office verified the arrests and prosecution of Jason Hellawell, 56, and Ariel Wang, 33, after a complex financial crimes investigation that stretched all the way to California.
The incident began when the 61-year-old victim attempted to pay a large tax bill. She initiated a $487,350 wire transfer, believing she was following the directions of her accountant.
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However, detectives found that hackers had hacked her accountant’s email, intercepted the message, and transferred the funds to their own accounts.
Hellawell was captured at his California residence, while Wang went to Volusia County in July 2025 to give herself in to local authorities.
Hellawell faced grand theft charges totaling $100,000, while Wang was charged with grand theft, money laundering, and an organized plan to defraud.
In a rare victory for fraud victims, the VSO Financial Crimes Unit and the State Attorney for Florida’s 7th Circuit have already recovered a large percentage of the stolen funds.
As part of a legal agreement, the defendants turned over $250,000 in certified cash ($125,000 each), which has since been restored to the victim.
They are also responsible for the remainder. The pair is have to refund an additional $250,000 to reimburse the amount handled by an insurance company, plus interest.
Both defendants were sentenced to 20 years probation this week.
During that period, they must pay at least $750 in restitution each month. The consequences for failing to follow their probation are severe; a single violation may place them in prison for up to 25 years per charge.
