Police have made an an arrest after a man posed as a millionaire from Monaco to lure women into dating scams across north and central London.
Over a four year period from 2021 to 2024, the unnamed suspect targeted women by offering them large sums of money in exchange for going on a date with him.
The man then asked for money to book expensive hotel rooms with the promise of being reimbursed but, despite their appeals, saw that the money never came.
On Friday, a 32-year-old suspect was arrested on suspicion of fraud, non-fatal strangulation, threats to disclose intimate images and obtaining services dishonestly.
He was taken to a west London police station, where he has been remanded.
Four women are said to have come forward about the offences.
Detective superintendent Adam Rowland said: “This arrest is the direct result of information provided by four different women who reported they had fallen victim to a convincing web of lies spun by an online fraudster.
“We know that the effects of being a victim of fraud run far deeper than financial loss, particularly where intimacy is involved and we are supporting the victims.
“Some people affected by scams of an intimate nature may be too embarrassed to come forward, but this is what fraudsters hope for. Please don’t suffer in silence, if you have fallen victim to a scammer do get in touch.”
Anyone with information or who believes they have been a victim should call police on 101 quoting 3817/16Feb.
