Lee Andrews' disappearance has been labelled a 'frantic escape' plan from his whirlwind marriage to Katie Price, as the 'swindler' remains missing in Dubai. The TV star has been ghosted for almost a week after her husband promised her money, and Katie now fears she may 'never hear' from him again.
Reports of Squatting and Burner Phone
Reports suggest that the 43-year-old is squatting in a slightly run-down villa and using a burner phone to speak to those he trusts. Lee is reportedly wanted by Interpol after Hertfordshire police escalated an investigation involving claims from one of his exes. The Sun claims he is 'frantically planning a route out of this ginormous hole he appears to have buried himself in'. It is also claimed that Lee owes Katie money, having shown her cheques he allegedly deposited into her account, but the funds never appeared.
Katie's Concerns and Official Actions
Lee last spoke to his wife on Wednesday night before his phone's location disappeared, and his family lost contact at 10:03 pm. On Saturday night, Katie stated on her YouTube channel that, contrary to an earlier statement claiming Lee was 'taking a break' from social media, he was actually 'missing'. The TV star has been communicating with authorities in Dubai, who told her they had no idea of his whereabouts. The former glamour model now believes her husband has been kidnapped, adding that her final FaceTime call with him showed his wrists tied together, a hood over his head, and him sitting inside an 'old, dirty van' with mesh windows, panicking that 'they [were] coming back for [him]'. Katie, 47, has denied any involvement in the scheme for publicity. Lee's family have filed an official missing persons report with the British Embassy in Dubai.
Background of the Relationship
Lee claimed to have outright purchased a £36 million mansion with Katie in Dubai, but this has been exposed as a rental. Price married Lee after knowing him for just a few days in January. He is her fourth husband and ninth engagement, having proposed after only two days. It was later revealed that months prior, he had proposed to another woman in the same way. Family and fans have expressed concerns from the start. Katie's sister Sophie has been a harsh critic, unable to even say his name. Katie's children, Princess, 18, and Junior, 20, learned of her engagement via text and have not met Lee.
Lee's Past and Allegations
It has also emerged that Lee, who has lived in Dubai for 21 years, lied on his CV and boasted about entrepreneurial successes with little evidence. He claimed to earn between $2-5 million annually from the US stock market and other ventures. His CV stated he was a member of the board of advisors for the Labour Party and director of philanthropy at The King's Trust, but both organisations denied any affiliation. Lee blamed the deceit on an assistant. He has also been accused of scamming ex-girlfriends, branded a 'liar' and 'swindler'. American businesswoman Crystal Janke accused Lee of conning her after she invested £123,000 in his sustainable vehicle company, which he reportedly did not repay. He also allegedly begged another woman for money days before proposing to Katie, a claim he denies. Another ex, Alana Percival, claims he pulled a similar airport vanishing act on her a year ago after telling her he had a 'life-limiting heart condition'. Percival had a nine-month relationship with Lee, during which he said he 'loved [her] more than life itself' in WhatsApp messages she has shared online. She has urged Katie to 'run for the hills'.
Lee's Legal Troubles
Lee spent three months in prison last year for fraud after his personal trainer ex, Dina Taji, discovered he had forged her signature to take out a £200,000 mortgage in her name. He reportedly spent time in Dubai's Al-Awir central prison and was served a travel ban upon release, explaining why he has not returned to the UK with Katie. Although he initially denied the ban, Katie recently revealed it exists, telling her podcast listeners: 'You can get a travel ban for absolutely anything.' Her most recent UK visit saw Katie appear on Good Morning Britain alone, where she denied Lee had been detained at the airport, claiming visa issues held him back. Details of his 'kidnapping' emerged shortly after.
