Christopher Earl Lloyd, a 39-year-old from Whittier, California, has been federally charged for allegedly scamming over $2 million from individuals through popular dating apps like Tinder, Hinge, and Bumble. According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office of the Central District of California, Lloyd is facing a 14-count federal indictment for a scheme that spanned nearly three years, from April 2021 to February 2024.
Prosecutors allege that Lloyd posed as a financially successful individual knowledgeable about investments to gain the trust of his victims. He reportedly convinced them to provide money and property under the guise of investment opportunities, promising regular returns and the ability to withdraw funds at any time. However, Lloyd allegedly used the money for personal expenses, including a $40,000 withdrawal in May 2023 to purchase a Lexus.
Lloyd is accused of fabricating his credentials, claiming to be a financial manager, a vice president at Planet 13 Holdings, and an employee at Landmark Associates. None of these claims were true, according to the Attorney’s Office. He allegedly supported his false statements with contracts detailing supposed investments and schedules for returns, leading victims to send money via wire transfers, Cash App, Zelle, and cash payments.
Lloyd faces 13 counts of wire fraud and one count of engaging in a monetary transaction with fraud-derived property. If convicted, he could face up to 20 years in federal prison for each wire fraud count and up to 10 years for the monetary transaction count. The FBI is investigating the case.
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