Whittier Scammer Christopher Lloyd Indicted for $2M Romance Fraud
In a stunning revelation, Christopher Earl Lloyd, 39, of Whittier, California, was arrested and indicted on a 14-count federal charge for orchestrating romance scams that fleeced victims out of over $2 million. The charges include 13 counts of wire fraud and one count of engaging in a monetary transaction with property derived from the fraud.
Lloyd is alleged to have used dating apps like Tinder, Hinge, and Bumble to con his unsuspecting victims. Pretending to be a successful investor, he lured them into believing his fabrications about being a financial manager, vice president of Planet 13 Holdings, and an employee of Landmark Associates. None of these claims were true.
The scam involved Lloyd persuading his victims to invest in phony opportunities, promising them regular returns and the ability to withdraw their investments at any time. He convinced them by signing contracts with false investment schedules. The money was then transferred through various methods, including wire transfers, Cash App, Zelle, or cash payments.
Lloyd is said to have pocketed the victims’ funds for his own gain, such as using $40,000 from a single victim to write a check at a Lexus dealership in Mission Viejo. The total losses incurred by the victims exceeded $2 million.
An indictment merely implies that a defendant has committed a crime. Lloyd is presumed innocent until proven guilty in court. If convicted, he could face up to 20 years in federal prison for each wire fraud count and an additional 10 years for the monetary transaction charge.
The FBI is leading the investigation into this matter, with Assistant United States Attorney Kevin Fu of the Orange County Office handling the prosecution.
RELATED: Whittier Scammer Bled Romance Sites for $2M, Faces Federal Charges
Related Federal Cases
- Artful Dodge: Medicare Fraud Case Closed · Pennsylvania
- Tax Fixer Gets 18 Months for $1.2M Fraud Scheme · Alaska
- McKenzie Earley’s $10M Fraud Conviction · California
- Phelan Sentenced for $17.4M Loan Fraud in MD · Maryland
- Tyrone Bradshaw Sentenced for Sex Offender Registration Fraud · Louisiana
Key Facts
- State: California
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes|Cybercrime|White Collar Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
🔒 Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
Browse More
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
US NewsUS NewsUS NewsUS News