Man sentenced in WA for running fake online dating

[November 13, 2010]  SEATTLE (AP) -- The U.S. attorney's office in Seattle says a Canadian man who ran online dating services -- but set up clients with fake "dates" -- has been sentenced to more than four years in prison for mail fraud.

The government says a federal judge on Friday also ordered 66-year-old Barrie Turner of Delta, British Columbia, to pay more than $300,000 in restitution.

Prosecutors allege Turner took money from more than 1,000 customers, but sent them fake matches with elaborate, made-up profiles. They say if clients attempted to meet the matches, they were sent e-mails saying the person was no longer interested.

Turner was arrested in March after he tried to cross the border at Point Roberts to pick up mail. He pleaded guilty in June.

[Associated Press]

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