A 69-year-old North Kitsap woman recently lost a bundle in an investment scheme, according to a June 29 Kitsap County Sheriff’s Department report. The woman said she’d discussed in September 2007 an investment opportunity in an assisted-living facility in California with Damon Ponce De Leon of the Millhaven Group LLC in Los Angeles. She called the local newspaper in Blythe, Calif., the local planning department and the construction company.

Based on those phone calls, it seemed to be a legitimate business dealing, she told sheriff’s deputies. On Oct. 2, 2007, she transferred $97,000 to the Milhaven Group to purchase shares in the company.

After sending the money, she continued to call the company and found out construction on the facility never started. She has not been able to get De Leon on the phone since February 2008, as that was the last time anyone answered the company’s phone.

The woman has since spoken to a representative for Consumer Retrieval Services and was advised to file a police report.