Online Romance Fraud Dupes Woman Out Of $80,000: Police

UPDATE: Man Who Scammed $80K In Online Romance Fraud Arrested: Police

DULUTH, GA -- An Alpharetta woman met a man on an online dating website and was defrauded more than $80,000.

John Martin Hill, 35, is wanted by Gwinnett Police for felony theft by deception. His last known place of residence is on Plantation Trace Drive in unincorporated Duluth, police reported. His current whereabouts are unknown.

The woman told the Gwinnett County Police Department that she met a man named John Hill on Match.com. They interacted on March 27 and met the same day. The man told the woman that he was a millionaire. During their short romance, he convinced her that they were in love and wanted to buy a house together. They went house-hunting and selected a home they were interested in. Within a week of knowing one another, they agreed to get married.

According to police, the woman gave the man more than $80,000 to use toward the purchase of a house and furniture. Following the exchange of money, the man ceased all contact.

The case was assigned to a detective in the Electronic and Financial Crimes Unit. The detective learned that the man lives at an apartment in Duluth with another woman and child. He also recently purchased a 2014 BMW and painted it black.

Further investigation into John Hill revealed that he has changed his name over five times in the past two and a half years. He is accused of committing similar crimes in Virginia, Delaware, Maryland and New Jersey.

If anyone has any information to share in this case, contact GCPD detectives at 770-513-5300. To remain anonymous, tipsters should contact Crime Stoppers at 404-577-TIPS (8477) or visit www.stopcrimeATL.com. Crime Stoppers tipsters can receive a cash reward for information leading to an arrest and indictment in this case. Case Number: 19-032646