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‘Blond Scammer’ Suspect To Get Suspended Sentence In Plea Deal

A Poway woman, called the “blond scammer,” pleaded no contest Wednesday after accusations that she victimized several Santa Clarita Valley women with ID theft.


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Under the terms of a plea deal, Pilar Abalos, 44, of Poway, pleaded no contest to one count, and is expected to receive a three-year suspended sentence in state prison when she’s sentenced later this year, according to Ricardo Santiago, spokesman for the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.Alleged blond scammer, captured on a security camera

She agreed to restitution on the remaining counts, and she’s also expected to receive three years of formal felony probation, 50 days of community labor and six months in a residential drug program, at her scheduled sentencing March 12.

A suspended sentence means she will not serve any jail or prison time unless she violates the terms of her probation.

Abaloswas going to be charged with two counts of identity theft and six counts second degree commercial burglary, according to court records.

Abalos is suspected of being involved in an ID theft ring whereby wallets of victims — whose appearance is similar to Abalos — are stolen, and then Abalos allegedly used her likeness to steal more from the victims.

Related article: ‘Blond Scammer’ Suspect Re-arrested For ID Theft At Court Date

Abalos made her court appearance at Los Angeles Superior Court in March of 2013, and was then arrested for charges stemming from Ventura County thefts.

On Feb. 5, 2013, deputies with the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station arrested Valerie Lynne Ray, 54, of Los Angeles, on charges related to three local incidents of identity theft.

Ray was sentenced to three years in a Los Angeles County jail in April, according to court officials.

She was being held on charges related to three local incidents.

Related article: Ring Leader Of ID Theft Scam Gets 3-Year Sentence

Sheriff’s Department detectives believed Ray was Abalos’s accomplice, officials said. Ray stole the wallets and purses of women who looked similar to Abalos, who then used the information to make big-ticket purchases.

A detective with the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station was responsible for the capture of a suspect who is being looked at in cases throughout Southern California.

“Through hours of investigation and diligent police work, a detective with the Sheriff’s Department was able to catch this suspect who is thought to have scammed thousands of dollars from victims throughout Southern California, including the Santa Clarita Valley,” said Deputy Josh Dubin of the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station, at the time of Abalos’ initial arrest.

The court views a no contest plea as the same as a guilty plea, although it’s treated differently in civil matters that may stem from the criminal prosecution.


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A Poway woman called the “blond scammer” after accusations that she victimized several Santa Clarita Valley women with ID theft, pleaded no contest Wednesday. 


‘Blond Scammer’ Suspect To Get Suspended Sentence In Plea Deal

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About Perry Smith

Perry Smith is a print and broadcast journalist who has won several awards for his focused, hyperlocal community coverage in several different regions of the country. In addition to five years of experience covering the Santa Clarita Valley, Smith, a San Fernando Valley native, has worked in newspapers and news websites in Los Angeles, the Northwest, the Central Valley and the South, before coming to KHTS in 2012. To contact Smith, email him at Perry@hometownstation.com.