New York man accused of stealing more than $1.8 million from women in romance scam

A New York man has been indicted on multiple charges for allegedly scamming more than $1.8 million from several women he met on dating apps, prosecutors said Monday.

Nelson Counne, 69, told at least five women that he was a wealthy, retired art dealer and investor with homes in New York City, London and France, Manhattan District Attorney Alving Bragg said in a statement. In reality, Counne has never traveled outside the U.S. and does not have a passport, the district attorney alleged.

"He allegedly fed lie after lie to women he falsely claimed to have a romantic interest in, enticing them with investment opportunities that never existed while using their funds to repay past victims, lure in new ones and fund his lifestyle," Bragg said.