Press Releases

Sugar daddy on the run
April 25, 2009

Southwest Florida detectives need your help trying to identify a con artist who passed fraudulent checks for thousands of dollars off to local women – who thought they had met the man who was going to change their lives.

He comes off as a man with all the answers – ready to provide lots of cash to needy females in search of someone who will make their lives easier. But in reality, he’s nothing more than a con – and now, police are trying to find him.

 “He explained himself as a 39 year old gentleman, currently in the process of getting a divorce, and eventually they’d be able to go on his 37 foot boat and have lots of fun," said Detective Barbara Berg.

At least that’s the promise this man gave to at least two women – maybe more. After meeting them on the internet, this unidentified man, who called himself David Martin, wrote checks for thousands of dollars to the women, in exchange for companionship.

The man detectives are looking for in this case paints himself as a sugar daddy – describing himself as a wealthy man who will take care of the women financially. However when they go to the bank to cash the checks, the money simply isn’t there.

“She originally went to her bank, but it was declined. So she went to his bank and it was discovered that it was counterfeit," Berg said.

The bad checks were from a completely fictitious account under the name of David Martin – who provided a fraudulent Marco Island home address. But as it turns out, everything about this man is a lie. Detectives say there were red flag scam warnings from the get go – starting with this photo “Martin” sent of himself via e-mail to one of the victims.

“That’s a clue right there… that he’s not sending a full portrait – only a partial picture of himself, with no eyes, which of course are a good identifying feature on anybody," Berg said.

One of Martin’s victims helped put a composite sketch together, and detectives are hopeful someone will recognize him. They’re also anxious to hear from other women taken advantage of, and scammed, by this man.

“Do a little investigating before you get involved with anybody claiming to be very affluent and willing to pay for your companionship and company," Berg said.

And as the old saying goes, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

Anyone with information on the identity of this fraud suspect is asked to call the Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-780-TIPS (8477). All callers will remain anonymous and will be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000. Tips may also be made online at www.swflcrimestoppers.org.