Woman hires man met on Tinder to kill PA cop and his daughter, NJ officials say
The 'hitman' was a confidential informant, and 26-year-old Jaclyn Diiorio was arrested following an exchange of money, according to an April 8 news release from the Camden County Prosecutor's Office.
Diiorio, of Runnemede, New Jersey, met the man she believed to be a hitman off Tinder, the dating app, according to a criminal complaint obtained by WCAU. They met in person for the first time at a Wawa convenience store in Diiorio's hometown, the news outlet reported.
As they continued to exchange text messages, Diiorio told the informant she wanted her ex-boyfriend — a Philadelphia police officer — and his 19-year-old daughter to be killed, Patch.com reported.
Diiorio offered the man $12,000 to kill both of them, the prosecutor's office said.
That's when the informant spoke with the prosecutor's office, telling officials about his interactions with Diiorio, according to the complaint obtained by Patch. The investigators then alerted the Philadelphia officer, who confirmed he and Diiorio had broken up in March.
When Diiorio and the informant met again on April 4, Diiorio gave him an upfront payment of $500, according to the prosecutor's office. The informant, according to Patch.com, was wearing a wire.
Members of the Gloucester Township Police Department Special Response Team were waiting, and they arrested the woman on site, officials said.
Diiorio was charged with two counts of first-degree attempted murder and one count of first-degree conspiracy to commit murder, according to the prosecutor. She also faces a drug possession charge
Runnemede is about a 10-mile drive southeast from downtown Philadelphia.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Boston Globe
9 hours ago
- Boston Globe
Police documents released after Bryan Kohberger's sentencing detail strange happenings weeks before
It remains unclear whether the strange happenings had anything to do with the killings. But the documents but do illustrate the frenzied efforts by law enforcement to follow every possible lead to find and convict Kohberger. Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up Here's a look at some information from the documents: Advertisement Curious happenings at 1122 King Rd. Bethany Funke was one of two roommates to survive the night of the stabbings. In interviews after the murders, she told police that about a month earlier, Goncalves had taken her dog, Murphy, outside when she saw an unknown man 'up above their house to the south,' staring at her. It was concerning enough that Goncalves 'told everyone' about it and called her roommates to ask if they'd be home soon, Funke said. Then, on Nov. 4, nine days before the attack, the roommates came home at 11 a.m. to find the door open, loose on its hinges, as the wind blew. Goncalves was away at the time. Kernodle's father fixed the door, Funke reported. Advertisement On Nov. 13, police found a gruesome scene. Blood pooled on bed comforters, covered floors and was splattered on walls. One the victims, Kernodle, had extensive defensive wounds; in her room 'it was obvious an intense struggle had occurred,' one office wrote. Detailing the investigation's steps Tips poured in. A staff member at Walmart told police that two to three weeks earlier, a white, college-age male had come in looking for a black ski mask that would cover his face. People who saw online feeds of some of the victims at a food truck offered their thoughts about a possible perpetrator, and investigators also looked into leads about bar-goers they had seen earlier in the night or an Uber driver they frequently used, the documents show. A woman who lived nearby told police that in either August or September 2022, she and her daughter saw a man in their yard who 'looked nervous.' She said she was almost certain it was Kohberger. Officers eventually identified Kohberger — a doctoral student in criminology at nearby Washington State University — using a DNA sample found on a knife sheath at the crime scene. They tracked his movements that night with cellphone data, obtained online shopping records showing he had purchased a military-style knife, and linked him to a car that repeatedly drove by the students' house. The documents include memos memorializing the subpoenas or warrants they served seeking records and the responses to those requests. Investigators served a warrant on the dating app Tinder, looking for accounts Kohberger might have created with certain emails and which might link him to his victims. Advertisement No such evidence emerged, and the motive for the killings remains a mystery. Kohberger spoke with police — briefly Kohberger was arrested at his parents' home in Albrightsville, Pennsylvania, about six weeks after the killings. He was taken to a state police barracks to be interviewed by officers from the Moscow police department, Idaho State Police and the FBI. They chatted about the Washington State football team, Kohberger's doctorate studies in criminal justice, his required duties to be a teaching assistant while in college, and why he wanted to become a professor. Kohberger eventually said he understood they were engaging in small talk, but he would appreciate if the officers explained what they wanted. One detective told him it was because of what had happened in Moscow. Asked if he knew what had transpired, he replied, 'Of course.' Did he want to talk about it? 'Well, I think I would need a lawyer,' Kohberger replied. He continued speaking, though — asking what specific questions they had and asking if his parents and dog were OK following his arrest. Kohberger finally said he would like to speak to an attorney, and police ended the interview because he had invoked his Fifth Amendment right. Behind bars with Kohberger A man incarcerated at the Latah County Jail who was once housed next to Kohberger's cell told a detective Sept. 16, 2024, that Kohberger would often question him about his past criminal offenses and why he was in the maximum security wing of the facility. The man said Kohberger's habits annoyed him, including how he washed his hands dozens of times each day and spent 45 minutes to an hour in the shower. He said Kohberger stayed awake almost all night and would only take a nap during the day. Advertisement Johnson reported from Seattle. Hallie Golden, Audrey McAvoy, Martha Bellisle, Mark Thiessen and Jesse Bedayn contributed.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Yahoo
Romance scams roundup: All of the romance scams you should know to keep your heart and bank safe
Romance scams roundup: All of the romance scams you should know to keep your heart and bank safe It's a sad fact, but true — so many of today's most common scams work by preying on and exploiting trust, and our most human emotions. And that's even more true when it comes to online dating scams and romance scams, which take advantage of victims at their most vulnerable to break hearts and break the bank, too. There's no shame in falling for romance scams — the FTC reports at least 70,000 cases per year, with annual financial losses totaling about $1.3 billion — but there's also no shame in protecting your heart as best you can. If you've met someone new and want to make sure they are who they say they are, try running a quick background check before things get serious. Online dating can be scary enough as it is; Spokeo shares these common romance scams to keep an eye out for so you can focus less on heartbreak and more on feeling the love. Catfishing: Not Romantic At All While not all online dating scams are catfishing, the vast majority of them certainly are. Catfishing is the sketchy practice of hiding behind a fake online persona to mislead someone, and it's most commonly associated with two things: exploiting romantic interests and scamming people out of their money. In the case of catfishing romance scams, that's a one-two combo. This is where your Tinder scams, Bumble scams, Hinge scams, sliding-into-your-DMs scams, and the like typically fall. In this case, a potential romantic interest appears, complete with a fake profile, fake pics, and a fake (but often convincing) backstory. After a flirtation that can last anywhere from minutes to months, the catfisher comes for your money. That's usually when the scam goes from catfishing to catphishing, where phishing is the act of fooling you into divulging your private information (like passwords or bank account numbers) in order to target your finances. While that's the basic format of many online dating scams, catfishing-based romance scams come in a wide variety of flavors. And none of them are any good. Military Romance Scams Catfishing romance scammers might cook up an entirely fictional online persona, or even an AI-generated one, or they might appropriate pics and details from an existing, real-world person. In any case, one of their favorite types of people to impersonate is military personnel. For grifters, a faux military profile accomplishes a lot. It can easily appeal to the victim's empathy, plus it offers plenty of excuses for why they never can seem to meet in person (a hallmark of catfish) or why a long-distance relationship is more convenient. When the time comes to get money out of the victim — a process that can go on for months — the military-themed scammer commonly uses excuses like paying for internet, retirement planning or travel costs (none of which are expenses for people enlisted in real life). Oil Rig Scams This catfishing theme is very similar to military romance scams: Long story short, it's convenient for scammers to claim to be an oil rigger or someone of a similar occupation who likely works in a remote locale, doesn't have regular internet access, and has to travel for long periods. These types of rugged, dangerous occupations are also ripe for making monetary requests under the guise of medical and travel expenses. Similarly, faux lovers claiming to be international workers use the guise to ask for money to travel to you, or to get their goods through customs. Take one guess as to where that money actually ends up. Steamier Scammers Some catfishing-based romance scams really emphasize the romance. For instance, in one especially sneaky type of hustle, the con artist poses as a sugar mama or sugar daddy. It's common for these scammers to promise money in exchange for risque pics, which they can then use as ammunition for blackmail. Or, they might do a variation of an age-old scam where they pay you a large amount of money, and then ask for some back — sure enough, the money you've received is typically from a bum source, like a stolen credit card, so the funds will bounce, leaving you holding the bag. Scammers posing as widows or widowers are also all too common. Like military romance scams, these follow the traditional catfishing-to-catphishing pipeline, but they emphasize a particularly common element of online dating scams: they often involve a sob story to help motivate victims to reach into their pockets. Not Catfish, But Still Fishy Not all romance scams revolve around catfishing. Unfortunately, you'll find that scammers are a pretty creative lot. Wish we saw that same energy when it came to first date ideas from real people on dating apps, but in any case, be wary of these common types of online dating scams: Crypto Scams Because it's so difficult to trace, crypto can be a big red flag when it comes to online scams in general. In this instance, the fake bae gains your trust, then convinces you to invest in what they pitch as a surefire crypto deal. The twist is, the crypto app they're so excited about is often a bespoke (and very fake) app they've created to funnel your funds. Of course, sometimes they'll just take your money via a straight-up Zelle or wire transfer. Bogus Dating Sites Similar to creating a phony crypto app to funnel money right into their own bank account, it's not below romance scammers to create entire dating websites just to hustle unsuspecting romantics. These sham sites pump up your confidence by plying you with matches, but beware of sign-up processes that ask a suspicious amount of finance-related questions or want you to divulge things that could be used to commit identity theft, like answers to common security questions ('what was the name of your first pet?'). Otherwise, fraudulent dating sites might take your money by asking you to pay for perks while matching you with nothing but bots. Or they might keep it simple and just infect your device with phishing malware, or take your credit card info. On the latter note, some romance scams simply rely on tricking you into clicking a link to infectious malware, and that link can be delivered anywhere, from Tinder scams to Bumble scams to DM, text, or email scams. Verification Scams This one's a bit different from the other online dating scams covered here. In a verification scam, criminals will pose as official communications channels for popular dating apps (this is also often called spoofing). You might get a message claiming to be from Tinder, for example, asking you to click a link to 'verify your account,' which requires you to input private information, like passwords, social security numbers, or financial data. As you may have guessed, that info isn't going to Tinder, it's going to creepy phishers. Remember, this online dating scam isn't limited to Tinder. Scammers will adopt the guise and branding of whatever's popular at the time, so it could be a Hinge scam, a Bumble scam, a Coffee Meets Bagel scam — you get the idea. Better Safe Than Heartbroken Love really is a battlefield, but you don't have to storm the beaches unarmed. While it's clear that romance scams come in as many varieties as there are phish in the sea, keep an eye out for these red flags to protect your heart: An unwillingness to meet in person or to take video calls. A little too much emphasis on keeping things private. 'Love bombing,' or bombarding you with compliments and affection, or accelerating the relationship at warp speed right from the jump — this is a tactic to gain your trust and confidence, and to exploit your vulnerability. Inconsistencies in your match's story, or consistently evading questions. Photos that look too polished or AI-generated, or that seem stolen (try a reverse Google Image search and see if any hits come up). Fairy tale romances that seem too good to be true. Any and all asks for money or private information from any person (or bot) you've never met in the real world. When those red flags add up, act quickly to block and report the scammer on whatever platform you're on, and contact your bank ASAP if any money has begun changing hands. You can also head to to report scams — or better yet, avoid divulging funds or private info to online strangers in the first place. Frequently Asked Questions If you're still curious about romance scams, you're not alone. Some of the most commonly searched questions for romance scams include: Will a romance scammer talk on the phone? Typically, no. Catfishers will make a variety of excuses to avoid meeting in person, talking on the phone, or video chatting, often kicking the can down the road indefinitely. In the rare circumstance in which they do give you a call, try running their digits through a reverse phone lookup to see if they really are who they claim to be. If they don't ask for private information like your bank account or credit card numbers, passwords, or other personally identifying info, they might ask for money directly. Asking for crypto investments, wire transfers, or peer-to-peer payments are also massive romance scam red flags. What are common romance scammer phrases? Romance scammers will say anything to get you to trust them — and, in some cases, fall in love with them — as quickly as possible. Some romance scammer favorites include, 'I feel like I've known you forever,' 'you're the only one who understands me,' 'I can't wait to start a life with you,' and 'I've never felt this way about anyone else.' Basically, it's a love-bombing vibe. All's fair in love and war, but romance scammers throw the concept of 'fair' right out the window. Level the playing field. This story was produced by Spokeo and reviewed and distributed by Stacker. Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Yahoo
Former UK police officer found guilty in brutal killing of wife who uncovered his double life
An ex-police officer from England has been found guilty of murdering his wife in Georgia after she discovered his affair, an exposure that reportedly threatened to reveal his fraudulent immigration status. Brian McManus, 57, a former officer with the London police and originally from the UK, was found guilty of killing his 63-year-old wife, Lucille Ann McManus, in 2023. The Houston County District Attorney's Office confirmed the conviction in a Facebook statement this week. Authorities emphasized that Brian McManus attempted to conceal his crime, shift blame onto the victim's family, and avoid punishment, but fell short. "McManus tried to cover the murder up, pin it on the victim's family, and walk away without consequence. He failed," the DA's office wrote in a statement. "Because of the work of the Warner Robins Police Department, forensic experts, and Houston County Asst. DAs Justin Duane and Lauren Fletcher, the truth won out." Daughter Of Irish Man Beaten To Death By American Wife, Her Ex-fbi Agent Father Rejects Self-defense Claims The case began on November 24, 2023, when officers responded to what was initially reported as a suicide at the couple's residence in Warner Robins, Georgia. Upon arrival, police found Lucille's body on a bed with a head wound, according to the Warner Robins Police Department. She was reportedly found unclothed, according to FOX 5. Read On The Fox News App Prosecutors allege Brian McManus struck his wife with an object as she exited the shower, strangled her, then cleaned up and walked the dog. Brian McManus, who reportedly made the 911 call, claimed he returned home from walking his dog to find his wife dead, according to the outlet. However, during the trial, prosecutors noted that he gave conflicting statements and showed no concern for his wife, only distress about being viewed as the prime suspect. Barry Morphew Seen For First Time After Jail Booking, Maintains Innocence In Wife's Death The outlet reported that he even attempted to blame the murder on the victim's granddaughter and her boyfriend, who they lived with, but cell phone data disproved their presence. Security footage also captured him near a drainage ditch where police found a rubber mallet and cell phone. Investigators also discovered that the couple met on the popular dating app, Tinder, and were married within three months, per FOX 5. McManus had previously worked for the London police but was dismissed after several women accused him of sexually threatening behavior. According to the outlet, his first marriage ended after he was arrested for domestic violence. Authorities said Brian McManus was involved with another woman in Florida and that his wife discovered the affair when he accidentally sent her a message intended for his mistress. She then threatened to expose their alleged "sham" marriage, according to prosecutors. Alex Murdaugh's Defense Attorney Explains Why He Thinks The Disgraced Lawyer Is Innocent, Will Get A New Trial Several witnesses alleged that the marriage was arranged primarily to help Brian McManus obtain a U.S. green card, according to reports. "Miss Ann was a lonely woman, and the defendant used that to his advantage. He used her to abuse our immigration system and then, when he got caught, brutally killed her," Assistant District Attorney Ada Duane said. "No one deserves to die like that. McManus is a serial liar and con man who attempted to hide the fact that he murdered his wife by tampering with evidence and blaming others. He is a textbook narcissist who thinks he is the smartest man in the room. I am glad that the jury saw him for what he was – a monster – and grateful that the victim's family finally has some answers." "This was a brutal and calculated murder carried out by an evil sociopath who views the women in his life as disposable," District Attorney Eric Z. Edwards said. "Brian McManus was not only willing to exploit our immigration system and manipulate a vulnerable woman into a sham marriage—he was willing to kill her when she became inconvenient. And then he tried to cover it up, pin it on her family, and walk away without consequence. He failed." Officials said as their community undertakes a renewed effort to prevent family violence-related homicides, this case serves as a heartbreaking reminder of the lives at risk. "As our community launches a renewed initiative to prevent family violence homicides, this case is a gut-wrenching reminder of what's at stake. This office will never hesitate to bring the full weight of the law down on abusers who mistake silence for weakness," the DA's office said. A spokesperson for Tinder told Fox News Digital that they can't comment on any individual's account, but said that the safety of their members is their highest priority. "If a user contacts us to report a crime or unsafe incident—whether it occurred on the app or following a match, we take the matter extremely seriously and follow a structured, trauma-informed response protocol," the company said. The company added that they also have a dedicated law enforcement portal, the first of its kind in the industry, which allows "qualified law enforcement agencies to securely request information related to ongoing investigations." "We stand ready to assist investigations by providing relevant data in compliance with applicable laws and privacy protocols," the company said. Fox News Digital reached out to the Houston County District Attorney's Office, but did not immediately receive a article source: Former UK police officer found guilty in brutal killing of wife who uncovered his double life
