Woman Blames Christian Dating Site for Scam

DALLAS (CN) - A Christian dating website failed to warn customers about a banned user who scammed a woman out of $73,430, the woman claims in court.

Shelli Nichols sued Spark Networks aka ChristianMingle.com on Wednesday in Federal Court.

Nichols claims she met an unidentified man on ChristianMingle and then moved the conversation off-line.

"This individual was removed from the website, but no attempt was made by Spark Networks, Inc. to inform any of the individuals who had been interacting with him of the threat he posed through the proxy of their dating service," the complaint states. "Unaware of the reasoning behind the individual's removal from the website, Ms. Nichols continued the interactions between herself and the man in question, eventually sending money to this man."

Nichols says she sent the man $73,430. She says it could have been avoided had she had been informed "of the potential threat of a scam artist."

She claims Spark Networks "failed to keep a proper lookout for plaintiff's safety that would have been maintained by an entity of ordinary prudence under the same or similar circumstances."

ChristianMingle did not immediately respond to a request for comment Wednesday evening.

The Los Angeles-based service describes itself as the premier online community for singles to make meaningful connections and marry within the Christian faith. It claims more than 10 million members.

"Or deepest desire is to see our members grow in their relationship with Christ while living out their spiritual journeys," its website states. "ChristianMingle is continually committed to providing a destination filled with millions of Christian singles united in building a safe, clean, high quality community while bringing glory to Christ Jesus." ChristianMingle is one of several special-interest dating website owned by Spark Networks. Spark, founded in 1997, also operates JDate, Silversingles and BlackSingles.

Nichols seeks damages for negligence and mental anguish.

She is represented by Sam Almasri with Almasri & Marzwanian in Dallas.

Follow @davejourno

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