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Mother tricked out of £7,000 in internet dating scam | Mother tricked out of £7,000 in internet dating scam |
(about 1 hour later) | |
A mother from Stevenage in Hertfordshire has been tricked out of about £7,000 by a conman she met through an internet dating website. | A mother from Stevenage in Hertfordshire has been tricked out of about £7,000 by a conman she met through an internet dating website. |
The 41-year-old victim, who has not been named, met a man who called himself William on a website in March. | |
William created a profile including a photograph and persuaded her to hand over her savings, her children's savings and get herself into debt. | William created a profile including a photograph and persuaded her to hand over her savings, her children's savings and get herself into debt. |
She contacted the police after her family raised concerns about it. | She contacted the police after her family raised concerns about it. |
The woman said: "I joined the dating website as I was keen to meet someone and begin a new relationship. | The woman said: "I joined the dating website as I was keen to meet someone and begin a new relationship. |
"William seemed perfect for me and we chatted regularly online and on the phone. | "William seemed perfect for me and we chatted regularly online and on the phone. |
'Ransom' paid | 'Ransom' paid |
"He included a photograph on his profile and told me that he was Italian, had lived in the UK for most of his life and that he had a seven-year-old daughter, Vera." | "He included a photograph on his profile and told me that he was Italian, had lived in the UK for most of his life and that he had a seven-year-old daughter, Vera." |
He led her to believe that they would start a new life together and that she would become a new mother to Vera. | He led her to believe that they would start a new life together and that she would become a new mother to Vera. |
He told her he would be taking a three-month trip to Nigeria for work, taking Vera with him. | He told her he would be taking a three-month trip to Nigeria for work, taking Vera with him. |
During his trip, William contacted her claiming his daughter had contracted malaria and urgently needed money to pay for medical treatment. | During his trip, William contacted her claiming his daughter had contracted malaria and urgently needed money to pay for medical treatment. |
Being concerned for the girl's welfare, she sent £2,000 without hesitation. | Being concerned for the girl's welfare, she sent £2,000 without hesitation. |
William claimed he was keen for Vera to return to the UK to live with the woman while he was working in Nigeria and she sent a further £1,000 to pay for flights. | William claimed he was keen for Vera to return to the UK to live with the woman while he was working in Nigeria and she sent a further £1,000 to pay for flights. |
He then told her Vera had been kidnapped and conned her out of another £4,000 in "ransom". | He then told her Vera had been kidnapped and conned her out of another £4,000 in "ransom". |
When she contacted her brother for help in obtaining the extra money, he suggested she report the matter to police. | When she contacted her brother for help in obtaining the extra money, he suggested she report the matter to police. |
She said: "When the police arrived, they made initial investigations and confirmed that I was the victim of a conman. | She said: "When the police arrived, they made initial investigations and confirmed that I was the victim of a conman. |
"I had read about people being scammed over the internet, but I never thought it would happen to me as William and his daughter were so convincing." | "I had read about people being scammed over the internet, but I never thought it would happen to me as William and his daughter were so convincing." |
Pc Andy Batey, the officer dealing with the case, warned people to "be immediately suspicious if the person you have recently met begins to ask you for money". | Pc Andy Batey, the officer dealing with the case, warned people to "be immediately suspicious if the person you have recently met begins to ask you for money". |
"Never hand over money to anyone unless you have met them face to face several times and are confident of their identity," he added. | "Never hand over money to anyone unless you have met them face to face several times and are confident of their identity," he added. |
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