The Volusia Sheriff's Office is looking for 39-year-old Ryan Matthew Paul, the suspect in a massive scheme to defraud an elderly resident of DeLand. As of their most recent update on Sunday, Paul's location was unknown.
Paul is being charged with three counts of grand theft, scheme to defraud, exploitation of the elderly. Law enforcement are aware of relatives of Paul's who reside in Altamonte Springs, and the scope of the search currently includes Volusia, Orange, and Seminole counties.
According to the VSO, Paul is a contractor who was reached out to about a home rebuilding project for his company, Beacon Restoration. The home had been destroyed in a fire back in January 2024, and its longtime resident reached out that same year.
By March, Paul had been reportedly given a check for $239,000 for the purchase of materials to conduct the project, followed by another check for $71,000 in August of 2024.
Records indicate that Paul did not apply for a building permit, deliver the materials for the job, and carry out any of the work that would've gone into it. It's been multiple months since the victim has been able to contact Paul, the VSO says.
The Volusia Sheriff's Office was contacted on March 5th, 2025 via direct email to Sheriff Mike Chitwood. An investigation was opened into the situation, and by April 11th detectives with the VSO's Financial Crimes Unit obtained an arrest warrant for Paul.
Sheriff Chitwood on Sunday offered a $500 gift card to any individual whose tip leads to Paul's arrest. Those with information that may be of assistance are asked to contact Detective Bill Weaver by emailing wweaver@volusiasheriff.gov, or by calling (386) 254-1537, ext. 11372.
