A serial fraudster who preyed on women through the dating app Tinder has been jailed after swindling victims out of thousands of pounds in Staffordshire.
The 32-year-old man, whose identity has been withheld, used fake profiles to manipulate women into sending him money under false pretences. His elaborate scheme involved building trust before fabricating emergencies to extract cash.
How the Scam Operated
The perpetrator created multiple Tinder profiles, presenting himself as a successful professional. After matching with victims, he would:
- Engage in intense, rapid communication to establish emotional connections
- Invent stories about financial difficulties or family crises
- Pressure women into transferring money via bank transfers
The Investigation
Staffordshire Police launched an investigation after several women came forward with similar stories. Detectives uncovered:
- Over £15,000 stolen from multiple victims
- A pattern of behaviour spanning several months
- Evidence of the fraudster creating fake documents to support his stories
Detective Inspector Jane Smith commented: "This was a calculated exploitation of vulnerable individuals seeking genuine connections. We urge dating app users to be extremely cautious about sending money to people they've only met online."
Court Sentencing
At Stafford Crown Court, the defendant pleaded guilty to multiple counts of fraud by false representation. He received:
- A 3-year prison sentence
- A 5-year restraining order preventing contact with victims
- Confiscation proceedings to recover stolen funds
The judge described the crimes as "a systematic betrayal of trust" that caused significant emotional and financial harm to victims.
Protecting Yourself Online
Police have issued advice for online daters:
- Never send money to someone you've only met online
- Be wary of sob stories or urgent requests for financial help
- Research your match - reverse image search can reveal fake profiles
- Meet in public places when first getting to know someone
