from aa.com
"The sale, barter, gift or assignment by Members of AAdvantage Miles, mileage awards or other benefits is expressly prohibited. All Miles purchased under the buyAAmiles or giftAAmiles programs are non-refundable. All transfer fees for Miles transferred using the shareAAmiles program are non-refundable.
Any improper usage or misuse of AAdvantage Miles shall be grounds for immediate confiscation and forfeiture of such Miles, and may be grounds for the forfeiture of all Miles in the Member's account and the Member's ejection from the AAdvantage Program."
Somehow I think asking for mercy will be too little too late, although the term "may" implies a little bit of negotiating possibility