[imagesource: Facebook]

Yet another dating app scammer has been caught, once again reinforcing how risky online dating can be these days.

The latest money-hungry dating app bandit is Brian Brainard Wedgeworth, nicknamed the “Casanova Scammer”, who, pretending to be a doctor, managed to defraud women out of $1,3 million over the five years that he ran his scam.

He pulled the wool over the eyes of more than 30 women with his myriad “Dr” aliases and claims of attending prestigious colleges including Harvard Medical School and Duke University.

This Tinder Swindler-esque case landed Wedgeworth in hot water with the law, and he has since pleaded guilty to charges of wire fraud, mail fraud, aggravated identity theft, and money laundering.

With a legit-looking uniform, well-staged pictures, and an appropriately crafted business card, Wedgeworth was able to persuade the women that he met on sites like Match.com, ChristianMingle, and Elite Singles to send him substantial sums of money.

The New York Times has more:

Investigators said he told them he would help pay off their loans and other debts, and as a result, many women sent him their banking information and Social Security numbers.

Investigators said he covered up lies with more lies. One woman confronted him about using a false name and previously being incarcerated in Georgia, according to the indictment. In response, Mr. Wedgeworth said he needed to be imprisoned because he was working undercover for the federal government to catch correctional officers who were committing crimes.

According to Business Insider, his various stories to get his victims to send him money included one where he supposedly had no money after paying off their debts and another where his accounts were frozen due to a medical malpractice lawsuit.

Erm, already a red flag, ladies.

With the money he stole, he was able to splash out on a Rolex watch worth more than $14 000 and tickets to a 2018 Sugar Bowl game between Clemson and Alabama, among other things.

The US attorney for the Northern District of Florida said in a statement that “citizens should not be preyed upon by fraudsters who steal through overtures of affection”.

The Casanova Scammer faces up to 32 years in prison for all charges.

[sources:nytimes&businessinsider]