Man Arrested for Defrauding Multiple Women in Online Dating Scam

Many people are tired of the bar scene, so to find true love, they often search online. Sites such as Match.com and eHarmony claim to help people find lasting relationships. While some do, others find heartbreak instead as they are scammed of thousands of dollars by con artists.

A man from South Carolina used the internet to defraud one woman out of $80,000. She was just one of many victims the 34-year-old man manipulated on Match.com.

The man met with a woman from Georgia in March, became engaged a week later and took off with $80,000 the woman gave to him so they could buy furniture for a new home. He told the woman he was a millionaire.

After the woman shared her story, others spoke out and claimed they were victims as well. The man is wanted in Maryland as well under a different name. In August 2017, he began dating a woman he met online. He borrowed $4,500 from the woman, claiming he needed the money to take the bar exam for law school. He repaid the woman with a check, which bounced. After that, the man cut ties with the woman and used her personal information to secure financing for a new car.

Maryland police pulled over the man later that year for driving with stolen license plates. Authorities discovered that the man had used a bad check to buy the car, a 2017 Acura ILX. Police found that the man was also wanted in Delaware for fraud. Police got a warrant and arrested the man in April 2018. The man posted bond and disappeared. He has engaged in dating scams in Virginia and New Jersey as well.

Types of Internet Fraud

While the internet has made life easier for most Americans, it has also made it easier for scammers to take advantage of victims. There are many ways for people to defraud people and rob them of their hard-earned money. Credit card fraud, business fraud, auction fraud, non-delivery of merchandise and investment schemes are common types of internet fraud.

There are other types of online fraud that can affect multiple victims at once. Data breaches are common. Many people have had their personal information leaked. Malware is also common. These scammers demand ransom money and if they do not receive it, they place malicious files on computers. Phishing and spoofing are also common types of fraud. These tactics use realistic-looking emails and websites to coerce the victim into providing personal information, such as birth dates, Social Security numbers and credit card information.

Contact a Maryland Criminal Defense Lawyer Today

It is often easy to commit fraud while behind a computer screen. However, these scams are often punished severely. Some are federal crimes that charged as felonies and punished harshly.

If you have been accused of fraud, seek aggressive representation from the Columbia internet crimes attorneys at the Law Offices of Todd K. Mohink, P.A. Call (410) 774-5987 or fill out the online form for a free consultation. We have two offices in Maryland to serve you.

Resources:

fbi.gov/scams-and-safety/common-fraud-schemes/internet-fraud

miamiherald.com/news/nation-world/national/article230725734.html

https://www.marylandlawhelp.com/2-types-of-identity-theft-on-the-rise/

Recent Posts

Categories

Archives

Anne Arundel County

Empire Towers
7310 Ritchie Highway, Suite 910
Glen Burnie, MD 21061

Phone: 410-766-0113

Fax: 410-766-0270

Howard County On the grounds of Columbia Mall

30 Corporate Center
10440 Little Patuxent Parkway,
Suite 900
Columbia, MD 21044

Phone: 410-964-0050

Baltimore County (Arbutus/Catonsville)

Phone: 410-719-7377

Fax: 410-766-0270