Police are warning women who look for love on dating websites after a man allegedly swindled a lonely woman out of her life savings.
According to the Gwinnett County Police Department, John Hill cheated the woman out of $80,000 after meeting her on Match.com.
Hill, 34, was arrested Tuesday in Tennessee, WHIO 7 News reports. Police say Hill met the Alpharetta, Georgia woman on March 27. Hill reportedly convinced her he was a millionaire and the two quickly hit it off.
Within a week, Hill proposed to the woman who happily agreed to marry him. The couple went house hunting for their forever home.
Police spokeswoman Cpl. Michele Pihera said the woman gave Hill $80,000 – her life savings – as a down payment on the house and to purchase furniture.
“During their short romance, he convinced her that they were in love and wanted to buy a house together,” Pihera said. “They went house hunting and selected a home they were interested in.”
Pihera said Hill soon stopped taking the woman’s phone calls and absconded with her money.
Police asked the public for help finding Hill. Cops circulated a photo of the smiling con man wearing a grey tailored suit.
A few women contacted police to say they were involved in relationships with Hill. None of the women knew each other.
Police hope thew victim’s ordeal serves as a cautionary tale for other women seeking love on dating websites.
“When meeting someone online, be very cautious sharing personal information, financial information, or cash with someone in the early stages of a relationship,” Pihera said in a statement. “These types of con men are very good at manipulating their victims. They tend to say everything that a woman wants to hear.”
