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BBC News NI journalist Catherine Moore reported on the disturbing case of Samantha Cookes, a serial con-artist who preyed on families by posing as a child therapist. Cookes, utilizing multiple false identities such as a nanny, arts teacher, and surrogate mother, defrauded families in the UK and Ireland from 2011 to 2024. Her deceptive actions resulted in her recent conviction for social welfare fraud and a three-year prison sentence in 2025.
Victims of Cookes shared their harrowing experiences with a new documentary by the BBC and RTÉ, revealing the extent of the fear and betrayal they felt. Lynn McDonald from Dublin recounted how Cookes, under the guise of Lucy Fitzwilliams, built a bond of trust with her daughter Ellie that shattered once her true motives were exposed. Cookes’ sudden disappearance left Lynn terrified of her daughter’s safety, prompting extreme measures like sleeping with a hatchet beside her bed.
Another mother, Hillery Geelan, also fell victim to Cookes’ manipulative schemes, describing how the con-artist exploited vulnerabilities by preying on her desperation for help with her son Rhys, who has autism. Cookes exploited the families’ trust by soliciting donations for a fictitious women’s refuge and collecting funds for a fabricated Lapland trip. The revelation that there was no trip and no refuge left families in shock, with Cookes fleeing once her deception was unveiled.
Families affected by Cookes’ scams lived in constant fear, with Lynn recalling how Cookes’ request for a consent form for the Lapland trip raised concerns of potential child abduction. The uncertainty surrounding Cookes’ whereabouts prompted heightened security measures, including police surveillance and installation of cameras around homes. Despite the allegations, Cookes did not respond to the BBC’s inquiries. Cookes’ fraudulent activities eventually caught up with her when her fabricated identity on TikTok as Carrie Jade Williams was exposed, leading to her downfall
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