Yorkshire Dad 'Terrified' After Identity Hijacked by Serial Tinder Rapist
A father from East Yorkshire has expressed profound shock and fear after discovering his identity was stolen by a serial rapist and fraudster who targeted 17 women on dating apps. Gary Stephenson, 40, was contacted by numerous victims after Ryan McVeigh, a 32-year-old Scottish conman, weaponised his photos and name to inflict sexual, financial, and emotional abuse, leaving lives in tatters.
Systemic Failures Allowed Predator to Continue Crimes
McVeigh initially duped and abused seven women before appearing in court, but was released on bail in December 2023 due to an administrative error acknowledged by Crown officials. This release enabled him to prey upon 10 additional victims over the following months. He eventually pleaded guilty to 38 charges in November at the High Court in Glasgow, including the rape of two primary victims and fraud totalling £81,872 across a 12-month period.
Gary Stephenson described the moment he learned of the impersonation: "It was a massive shock and the scale of it was unbelievable. One woman had told me she had seen my picture on a Facebook group called 'Are we Dating the same guy' and after comments from other women had reversed searched my pictures and got in touch with me." He found himself apologising to victims for crimes he never committed, forcing him to explain the situation to his ex-wife and fiancée.
Police Investigation Reveals Extent of Abuse
When police became involved, the severity of the case became apparent, with estimates suggesting up to 70 women might have been targeted. McVeigh operated under multiple false identities, including Gary Stephenson, Paul Justin, and Reece Fletcher, on platforms like Tinder and Bumble. Gary recounted: "I had spent time on the phone to the police in Scotland where they had to ask me if I'd sent private pictures of myself to women. They knew it wasn't me, but they had to ask me about what tattoos I had on my hands and my body." He also discovered his images on a sperm donation site, including a photo with his daughter, prompting further police reports.
Political Reactions Highlight Justice System Flaws
The case has sparked outrage among political figures, who criticise weaknesses in Scotland's justice system. Scottish Conservative justice spokesperson Liam Kerr MSP stated: "This case exposes the serious dangers of the SNP's relentless weakening of Scotland's justice system. Victims deserve far stronger protections, including tougher action against online deception and predators who shamefully exploit dating apps." Similarly, Scottish Labour Justice spokesperson Pauline McNeill emphasised the need for updated laws and app safeguards to combat such evolving crimes.
Gary Stephenson, who has a significant TikTok following for his comedy videos, expressed disgust at the abuse: "I'm disgusted by what he has done to these women and these poor women, the lies, the fraud, the rapes. It's terrifying." McVeigh is scheduled for sentencing next month, with bail references expected to be struck from the record. Victims of crime are encouraged to contact Victim Support Scotland for assistance.
