OkCupid scammer faces slammer in Maine

A Maine con man who scammed victims through online dating, social media and recovery groups will do prison time, the BoothBay Register reports.

This story by Sue Mello says Michael Hawkins, 31, stole "over $5,000 from four victims over the course of a year," all the while lying about "his name, occupation, financial status, property and even his son’s and mother’s health status" as he "concocted various emergency situations to convince victims to 'loan' him money." Also from the story:

Judge Daniel Billings sentenced Michael Hawkins to 3 and 1/2 years of incarceration, all but eight months suspended, and two years of probation. Hawkins is also prohibited from all contact with his victims and their families, must make monetary restitution to his victims, and is forbidden from using online dating sites while on probation.

For tips on how to guard against con artists like Hawkins, see the InspectaDate safety tips page.