LOS ANGELES (BN24) — A California man has been arrested and charged with wire fraud after allegedly using dating apps to scam romantic partners out of more than $2 million over nearly three years.
Christopher Earl Lloyd, 39, of Whittier, was taken into custody Thursday and is facing 13 counts of wire fraud and one count of engaging in a monetary transaction involving criminally derived property. Federal prosecutors allege he used dating platforms including Tinder, Hinge, and Bumble to present himself as a successful investor, gaining the trust of victims before persuading them to hand over large sums of money.
According to the indictment unsealed by a federal grand jury earlier this month, Lloyd falsely claimed to be a financial expert, telling victims he worked as a financial manager, was vice president of Planet 13 Holdings, and had ties to another investment company, Landmark Associates. He also claimed to have closed multiple real estate deals to appear credible.
Prosecutors say between April 2021 and February 2024, Lloyd lured individuals into transferring money through Zelle, CashApp, wire transfers, and cash under the pretense of lucrative investment opportunities. To build trust, Lloyd allegedly produced fake contracts and fabricated investment return schedules, even assuring victims they could withdraw their funds at any time.
Instead of investing the funds, Lloyd used the money for personal expenses, including writing a $40,000 check to a Lexus dealership, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California.
An attorney representing Lloyd did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
If convicted, Lloyd could face up to 20 years in federal prison for each count of wire fraud and an additional 10 years for the monetary transaction charge. The FBI is currently leading the investigation into the case.
Authorities have not disclosed how many victims were involved but say the fraudulent activity spanned nearly three years and affected multiple individuals who believed they were entering genuine relationships with Lloyd.
