Gwinnett County police are looking for a man they say defrauded an Alpharetta woman out of more than $80,000 after meeting her on a dating website, telling her he was a millionaire and convincing her they were in love.
Police have a warrant for the arrest of John Martin Hill, who is charged with theft by deception. The 35-year-old is also accused of defrauding women in the same way in four other states, authorities said.
The woman told police she met Hill on Match.com. The two messaged on the dating site March 27, then met in person later that day, police said.
“During their short romance, he convinced her that they were in love and wanted to buy a house together,” Gwinnett spokeswoman Cpl. Michele Pihera said. “They went house-hunting and selected a home they were interested in.”
Within a week of knowing one another, Hill and the woman agreed to get married, Pihera said.
She gave Hill more than $80,000 to put toward the purchase of the house and to buy furniture.
“Following the exchange of money, the suspect ceased all contact,” Pihera said.
Investigators learned that Hill lives in an apartment in Duluth with another woman and a child. They said Hill has changed his name more than five times in the past two and a half years and is accused of committing similar acts in Virginia, Delaware, Maryland and New Jersey.
Anyone with information on Hill’s whereabouts is asked to contact Gwinnett detectives at 770-513-5300. Tipsters can remain anonymous, and be eligible for rewards of up to $2,000, by contacting Crime Stoppers Atlanta at 404-577-8477, texting information to 274637 or visiting the Crime Stoppers website.
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