A Sacramento woman was arrested Tuesday in connection with a "sweetheart swindle" that netted more than $300,000, authorities said.Belinda Mitchell, 36, is believed to be the woman who allegedly stole the heart and savings of a Citrus Heights man, Sacramento County sheriff's deputies said.
Mitchell is charged with obtaining property by false pretenses. Considered a flight risk, she is being held in the county jail without bail.
The victim, a computer engineer named Tim, 34, told Citrus Heights police that Mitchell pretended to fall in love with him after they met in late 1999.
She was so convincing, he fell in love with her, too, and both talked of getting married and having children, said Tim, whose last name was not released by authorities.
"She's an incredible actor," he said, explaining that two months after they began dating, Mitchell confided that she needed $35,000 cash for cancer surgery.
Tim said he gave her the cash -- even though she refused to reveal the name of her doctor or hospital.
Mitchell later announced the surgery had failed. As a result, Tim said, he gave her more than $60,000 to pay for radiation treatments that cost $5,000 each.
She always insisted on cash, claiming she could get a discount from her doctors, he said.
Tim also bought gifts for the woman, ranging from airline tickets and two cars to fancy clothes.
The relationship ended this spring, when Tim wised up and told his story to Citrus Heights police. Mitchell was arrested in an Arden area home by Citrus Heights detectives.
Additional arrests are possible, according to Sgt. Lou Fatur, a sheriff's spokesman.
"These scam artists usually have others involved and use all kinds of deception to get money and property from unsuspecting victims," he said.
Anyone with information about Mitchell is asked to call the Sheriff's Department at (916) 874-5115.