A fraudster who targeted vulnerable men on popular dating apps and tricked them out of thousands has been jailed.
Thomas Godden, 26, “deliberately targeted men who were seeking companionship and a genuine emotional connection”, defrauding three individuals out of a combined £28,000, police said. One of the victims lost over £26,000.
City of London Police found that Godden used Tinder and Bumble to target gay men, when in reality he was a “heterosexual man already in a relationship”. Two of the victims were vulnerable and on the autism spectrum, police said.
Godden convinced his victims after “quickly forming what the victims believed to be romantic relationships” and convinced them to send, money for what he said were day-to-day living expenses and travel. He promised the funds would be paid back, but instead “used the money to fund his own lifestyle”, police said.
Between September 2022 and November 2024, a man named only as ‘Victim C’ was defrauded out of £26,483.06 and left in “significant debt”.
‘Victim A’ was defrauded out of £1,869.90 from July to August 2022, while ‘Victim B’ was defrauded out of £135.50 from November to December that same year.
Police said two of the victims were reimbursed by their banks after they reported the fraud, but one was left with “substantial debts and long-term financial consequences”.
After being challenged about the return of the money, Godden deployed manipulative tactics, or would become “hostile”.
The fraudster “made excuses, or threatened to cut off contact” and in some cases used emotional blackmail and threats of self-harm.
Eventually, reports were made to Action Fraud, now known as the report Fraud service, by victims. The cases were then referred to the Fraud Operations team at the City of London Police.
Digital evidence that was recovered during the investigation revealed internet searches that said “Can you go to jail for romance scamming?” and “Can you go the police if someone owes you money?”.
Further digital evidence showed that Godden was in a relationship and was using the dating apps with the sole purpose of obtaining money from other people.
Godden pleaded guilty to three charges of fraud by false representation in December 2025. On February 17 this year, he was sentenced to three years at Canterbury Crown Court.
“Godden deliberately targeted men who were seeking companionship and a genuine emotional connection,” Detective Constable Melissa Morgan, from the Fraud Operations team at the City of London Police, said. “He abused their trust, manipulated their vulnerabilities and caused significant financial and emotional harm.
“This was a calculated pattern of offending, not a misunderstanding or a civil dispute, but a clear case of fraud by false representation.”
Bumble said it was “deeply concerned” and “saddened” by what happened.
“The safety of our members is our top priority and fraudulent activity is not tolerated on Bumble… Red flags include any request for money, pressure to move quickly, avoiding in-person or video interactions, or pushing to take conversations off the app.
“We encourage members to keep chats on Bumble, move at their own pace, and trust their instincts by blocking and reporting anyone who makes them uncomfortable.”
