Convicted lonely-hearts scammer to be sentenced for money laundering

A convicted con man, originally from Ventnor, sentenced for prying money from women through phone dating services, appears headed for as many as five more years in stir, for leaving New Jersey to launder money connected to his scam.

Patrick Giblin pleaded guilty to a count of interstate travel and use of a facility in interstate and foreign commerce with intent to launder money, according to the office of New Jersey U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman.

Prosecutors recommended the statutory maximum five years. Sentencing is scheduled for May 12. Giblin's plea agreement requires him to pay restitution to the victims. The charge also carries a potential fine up to $250,000.

Giblin was sentenced in 2007 for 10 counts of wire fraud, in connection with a scheme to con women out of money through phone-based dating services, and sentenced in 2015 for violating stipulations of federal supervised release.

In a Camden courtroom, Giblin admitted traveling to Albany County, New York, to launder money attached to a ruse similar to the one that earned him a sentence 10 years ago.

Authorities alleged that between January 2013 and December 2014, Giblin posed ads and messages through phone-based dating services nationwide, developing long-distrance relationships, telling women that he was headed to their regions to live and that he hoped to build a committed relationship with each one.

Giblin then told each one that he needed a loan for moving and travel expenses, directing them to use Western Union or MoneyGram to gransfer cash to a payroll debit card in his possession, investigators said.

Giblin allegedly used some of the money to buy cell phone minutes, which he used to ensnare more women, victimizing 10 from various states for amounts estimated at $15,000 to $40,000.

In 2014, he traveled to New York State, violating terms of his supervised release from the 2007 conviction. He was senteced for the offense in 2015.

But prior to that, in 2013, Giblin was sentenced for escaping a Philadelphia halfway house which he inhabited after completing his 2007 conviction sentence. Giblin devised the new scam around the time of the escape, and resumed it after completing his sentence for that offense, authorities said.

Deputy Attorney in Charge Matthew J. Skahil and Assistant U.S. Attorney Gabriel J. Vidoni conducted the State's case. Giblin was represented by Camden-based Assistant Federal Public Defender Christopher O'Malley.