A Whittier man was arrested Thursday for allegedly utilizing courting apps akin to Tinder, Hinge and Bumble to con folks out of greater than $2 million, in accordance with authorities.
Christopher Earl Lloyd, 39, was charged with 13 counts of wire fraud and one depend of partaking in a financial transaction in property derived from fraud, in accordance with the U.S. lawyer’s workplace for the Central District of California. If convicted, he faces a most attainable sentence of 20 years in federal jail for every wire fraud depend and as much as 10 years for the financial transaction depend.
Between April 2021 and February 2024, authorities say Lloyd used courting apps and web sites to search out and speak to alleged victims, mendacity about his monetary success and data in investing. Prosecutors additionally allege Lloyd lied about being a monetary supervisor, the vice chairman of an organization referred to as Planet 13 Holdings and that he labored for an funding firm referred to as Landmark Associates.
Lloyd allegedly satisfied folks to take a position by telling them he knew of funding alternatives that would assist them, in accordance with an announcement from prosecutors. He additionally allegedly instructed them they’d get common returns and will withdraw their investments at any time.
Lloyd allegedly signed contracts; arrange a pretend schedule of funding returns; and picked up cash within the type of money, wire transfers and by utilizing CashApp and Zelle, authorities stated.
In Might 2023, Lloyd allegedly withdrew $40,000 that somebody had despatched him to put in writing a examine at a Lexus dealership in Mission Viejo. Lloyd’s alleged scheme value his victims greater than $2 million in losses, officers stated.
