CALGARY — Police have charged a Calgary man who they say swindled money from dozens of people and romanced several women to further the con.
Bryan Christopher Syryda, who is 36, faces more than a dozen fraud and theft-related charges.
Investigators say he was first charged in 2020 when several people alleged they gave him money in return for discounted items including televisions.
Additional complaints were made in late August by others in British Columbia, who said they paid money for high-end electronics that were never delivered.
Police say they became aware that several women who met the man through online dating sites were treated to extravagant outings.
They allege the women were also offered deals on electronics, but never received the items.
"It's believed the money used to woo the women was obtained through the earlier fraudulent activity and was intended to groom (the women) into trusting the man and giving him their money," police said in a news release.
"In many of the cases, (they) convinced their family members and friends to take advantage of the proposed electronics deal.
Police say alleged victims have been located in the B.C. communities of Langley, Surrey and Delta, and in Calgary and Cochrane, Alta.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 23, 2022.
The Canadian Press
