The Dateline episode “The Perfect Guy” investigates Derek Alldred. The 49-year-old man used several fake identities (a US Navy pilot, firefighter, college professor, attorney, doctor, investment banker) while wooing women on Facebook and on dating websites. He stole $2 million from 25 women in California, Nevada, Hawaii, and Minnesota by stealing their credit cards and Social Security numbers.
Alldred pleaded guilty to mail fraud and two counts of aggravated identity fraud and was sentenced to 24 years in prison in Texas. U.S. Attorney Joseph D. Brown said at the sentencing: “This defendant left a trail of tears, emotional devastation, and financial ruin behind him.” He added, “It is clear that he will never change, and we expect his sentence to reflect that.”
From prison, Alldred spoke to Dateline’s Andrea Canning and admitted that “It was tough to keep track of who I was.” He added, “I’m not trying to justify my behavior… I was a horrible boyfriend, absolutely horrible. Destroying someone’s life I think is a bit exaggerated.”
Dateline airs Fridays at 9 pm on NBC.
