Canadian police arrested nine suspects earlier this week in connection to a romance fraud ring that cost victims $1.5 million.
The nine men, who have more than 40 charges against them, allegedly created fake dating profiles and then used them to trick women into trusting them, the York Regional Police Department explained on its Facebook. The men would progress the relationships quickly, and once victims became emotionally invested, the men would ask for money.
Investigators initially worked off the case of one woman who came forward, but after opening the investigation, six additional victims came forward, along with others who received similar requests but never sent money.
All but one of the nine suspects reside in Toronto and shared online dating profile accounts. They switched between website accounts under the names Benjamin D. Baker and Ryan Hull.
