SAN DIEGO -- Authorities are seeking more victims of a pool designer and contractor accused of scamming at least 11 people out of more than $150,000, District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis said Monday.

Daniel Torgel, 46, is charged with felony diverting or misusing contracting funds and misdemeanor contracting without a license.

"There may be victims who have not come forward yet, which could lead to more criminal charges being filed against the defendant," Dumanis said. "We urge anyone who may have been defrauded to contact our office."

Torgel, of Chula Vista, owns and operates Backyard Dreambuilders and formerly owned Blue Lagoon Design & Pool Construction, authorities said.

The defendant allegedly committed two of the most recent felonies while out on bail on another felony theft case in Vista, authorities said.

The California Board of Contractor Appeals suspended Torgel's license in January, according to Dumanis.

In a January 2006 10News investigation, reporter Marti Emerald interviewed many victims of Torgel's pool scam. Victims said they paid Torgel upfront for costly pool designs. One consumer paid over $70,000. The victims say once Torgel had their money, the work stopped.

Additional previous victims continue to come forward, mostly from the South Bay area of San Diego County, raising the possible loss to more than $300,000, Dumanis said.

Torgel, who is in custody on $150,000 bail, has pleaded guilty to one felony charge in the Vista case and faces sentencing Oct. 17. He denied the San Diego case charges.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled in the San Diego case on Oct. 27.

Previous clients and anyone who knows previous clients of Torgel since 2005 should contact San Diego County District Attorney Investigator Justin Smith at 619-515-8539.

Investigators say victims are out over three hundred thousand dollars. The District Attorney's office would like to hear from other victims of this scam. San Diego County District Attorney investigator Justin Smith can be reached at (619) 515-8539 or visit the DA’s Web site at www.sdcda.org.