It’s an online dating nightmare. James Rice, who used the aliases James Turner, Jimmy Turner and Jimmi Turner, stole the hearts and money of lonely women across the country.

Rice, 52 of Redondo Beach, portrayed himself as a diamond broker, an heir and the nephew of media mogul Ted Turner, KTLA reports. He was blonde, blue-eyed, funny, charming, stayed in high-end Beverly Hills hotels and supposedly owned nice cars and boats.

And women fell for it in droves. His local victims hail from Manhattan Beach, Redondo Beach, Torrance, Hacienda Heights and Beverly Hills. He even lured in women from Alaska and Alabama. Police believe he had more victims.

Mostly middle-age, vulnerable women seeking a relationship fell in love with Rice only to fork over their life savings or children’s college fund when he asked for loans. Police believe Rice conned about $300,000 total out of the victims, FOX reports.

 

READ MORE