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A mother of two was left without any savings after falling victim to a fraudulent scheme orchestrated by Christopher Harkins, a man she met through the dating app Tinder. The woman, who goes by the pseudonym Caitlyn, encountered Harkins in London during 2020. Initially, he tried to persuade her to join him on a holiday—an approach Harkins frequently used. When Caitlyn explained that she couldn’t afford a trip, Harkins shifted tactics, proposing to double her money through a supposed foreign currency exchange venture.
Caitlyn was one of several women targeted by Harkins in London after he fled Scotland, where he was being investigated for various offenses. She recounted the early stages of their relationship, describing him as seemingly charming and generous. Using the alias Christopher Telfer, Harkins claimed his business was flourishing and promised to help her grow her savings. Over time, Caitlyn handed over £3,132, a substantial amount that was crucial to her financial wellbeing. Vulnerable due to her personal circumstances, she trusted his assurances, despite the warning signs.
As the relationship progressed, the situation deteriorated. When Caitlyn sought to retrieve her money, Harkins claimed his bank account was frozen and pressured her for additional funds, suggesting she take out loans or use overdrafts to keep investing. When asked to prove the legitimacy of the investment, he reacted with hostility. Caitlyn described growing fear as Harkins became aggressive, eventually cutting off contact and blocking her. Despite her desperate pleas for even small amounts of money during a difficult time managing her family, she received no response and never recovered her savings.
This behavior is consistent with Harkins’ known pattern as a prolific romance fraudster who targeted at least 30 women over nearly ten years, exploiting dating platforms like Tinder. He was sentenced to 12 years in prison in 2024 for offenses against ten women in Scotland, including rape, assault, and defrauding more than £214,000. Harkins projected a flashy lifestyle on his dating profiles, but in truth, he manipulated women into financial ruin, at times coercing them into taking on significant debts. Some victims suffered long-term financial and mental health consequences, often concealing their experiences due to embarrassment. Even after being exposed and arrested in Scotland, Harkins escaped to London and continued his fraudulent activities under an assumed name, ultimately receiving a separate prison sentence in England as well. Reading about his other victims motivated Caitlyn to finally come forward and report him to the authorities
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