A Whittier man has been arrested on a federal indictment for allegedly using dating apps to defraud victims of over $2 million. Christopher Earl Lloyd, 39, is facing 14 counts, including 13 counts of wire fraud and one count of engaging in a monetary transaction with fraud-derived property. He is expected to appear in United States District Court in Santa Ana.
The indictment, returned by a federal grand jury on July 2, accuses Lloyd of conducting romance scams from April 2021 to February 2024 through platforms like Tinder, Hinge, and Bumble. He reportedly misled victims by portraying himself as financially successful and knowledgeable about investments.
Lloyd allegedly fabricated stories about his professional background, claiming roles such as vice president at Planet 13 Holdings and financial manager at Landmark Associates. These claims were false. Victims were convinced to provide money under the guise of investment opportunities that would supposedly yield regular returns and allow easy withdrawal.
To support his deception, Lloyd signed contracts outlining supposed investments and return schedules. Victims transferred funds via wire transfers, Cash App, Zelle, or cash payments which Lloyd used for personal expenses. In May 2023, he allegedly used $40,000 from a victim to purchase a vehicle from a Lexus dealership in Mission Viejo.
The total losses suffered by victims exceed $2 million. An indictment alleges criminal conduct but does not prove guilt; defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.
If convicted on all charges, Lloyd faces up to 20 years in prison for each wire fraud count and up to 10 years for the monetary transaction count. The FBI is investigating the case with Assistant United States Attorney Kevin Fu prosecuting.
