He trolled Internet dating sites, searching not for love, but for prey. He told women he was a military hero -- the captain of an elite Navy Seal team.

"The stories and everything were just fascinating," said victim Barbara.

He wooed them with poetry and love notes.

"He said all the right things," said Catherine, another victim.

And once he had them hooked, Reggie Malone stole their hearts and, police say, their money.

Our investigation shows Malone pulled this scam on dozens, perhaps hundreds of women from all over the world.

They were women who never knew about the others, until our investigation brought them together.

"I had believed him, hook, line and sinker. Everything he said," said Rhonda, another victim.

For the first time, they met and compared stories.

With Rhonda, Malone asked her to live with him.

Catherine was about to marry Malone when she learned he was a fake.

Janice did marry him.

Barbara learned the truth after Malone had been living with her for months.

And Samantha was staying with Malone at a local motel in January, when she learned from KOMO 4 News that he was an imposter.

"It was like, 'Oh my God, what do we do?' " Samantha said.

We reported Malone to Tukwila police, and they arrested him on an outstanding theft warrant.

Based in part on our investigation, Malone is now charged with violating probation and first degree theft.

We've uncovered previous convictions for bank robbery, theft and impersonating a King County Sheriff's deputy.

And while Malone sits in jail, something extraordinary is happening here. Women who once blamed themselves no longer do.

"There's one thing that we all share," Janice said. "There's a bond between us and that's because we're very caring people and that's where it starts, yes, yes."

Catherine said: "Kind and considerate and all of those kinds of things that are not bad qualities and we were unfortunately preyed upon by an individual who took advantage of those qualities which I would hope none of us would ever lose."

Rhonda said: "It scares me to think I was so easily taken in."

Janice said: "I've seen so much crime, so many victims and no one wanted to listen to me."

Women who had all but given up on justice have now discovered strength in one another - and are united with one common goal.

This isn't about just the five of us here," Samantha said. "This isn't about five women getting together and bashing some guy. This is about thousands, maybe tens of thousands of women that he's communicated with over the years."

"My personal thing," Barbara said, "was wanting to stop him from doing this to anyone else."

Janice said: "He thinks he's going to beat the system," but, "he's not going to beat it this time."

And the women say the Imposter isn't going to beat them.

"We actually stood up and said no, and allowed our voices to be heard," said Catherine, "and I think that's where closure comes from."

The women say coming together has allowed them to get past their own embarrassment. They're now fighting for all the other victims they believe are out there.

They say they're cooperating with police -- hoping this story will bring forward new victims and more charges.

And, KOMO 4 News has been told that new charges are possible. Our investigation continues to turn up new evidence: most recently possible stolen ID and credit cards in some of Malone's abandoned luggage.

Prosecutors say that could lead to new charges of identity theft and fraud.