State v. Mr. E (DMC No. 16324) – Felony Aggravated Luring of a Minor for Sexual Exploitation  (per ARS 13-3560) – Not Charged (Due to Determination of Scam) – Mesa Police Department Investigated

Mr. E was a 75-year-old retired pilot who was on the website “Ok Cupid”. He was searching for women between the ages of 18 and 58 years old. He then was messaged through a young lady purporting to be 20 years old. They messaged back and forth a few times, and then she called him and asked for videos of his genitals, which he sent. She then sent some photos to him. Immediately after that, she told him she was just 17 years old, and asked “is that ok”. He said that they could not get together, and he stopped speaking with her.

A couple of days later, he received a text from the young lady’s phone from a person purporting to be her Dad. There was also two phone calls which he did not answer, and there was a voicemail left behind. He then called and had two phone conversations. The supposed Dad claimed that he had a friend that worked for the Police, that his wife wanted to file a Complaint, and now he said that the daughter was actually only 15 years old. Eventually, the voice on the phone was pressing him to meet in person and was asking for money. It was at this time that the services of DM Cantor were secured.

By the time we were involved, there was another message with a phone number reporting to be a Police Officer. We called the number several times and left messages, and received no response. We then did research on the number, and found out it was “spoofed”. We informed Mr. E that this appeared to be a Scam, and we contacted the Mesa Police Department (as this was the city in which he was living). We then secured their help, and they determined that this was an ongoing Scam that was originating out of Russia. Because this was the case, there would be No Charges filed for Felony Aggravated Luring of a Minor for Sexual Exploitation against Mr. E.