'My story on Tinder predator went live, then my phone rang - it was him'

In a shocking tale of deception and bravery, a woman named Lisa found herself entangled with a man named Christopher Harkins, whom she met on the dating app Tinder. This story began in 2017 when Lisa reached out to journalist Catriona Stewart, sharing her experience of being scammed out of £3,247 by Harkins. Lisa, who chose to use a pseudonym to protect her identity, explained how Harkins had showered her with affection and attention, a tactic known as 'love bombing. ' He suggested they take a holiday together, and when Lisa transferred the money for the trip, he vanished without a trace. Realizing that she had fallen victim to a con artist, Lisa felt compelled to warn others about Harkins's manipulative behavior. Catriona listened intently as Lisa recounted her story, providing evidence such as screenshots of their conversations and bank details that clearly illustrated Harkins's deceitful nature. Catriona attempted to contact Harkins to get his side of the story, but he was unresponsive. Eventually, Lisa informed Catriona that Harkins had agreed to meet her to return the money, but when they arrived at the designated location, he failed to show up. This prompted Catriona to publish Lisa's story, hoping to alert other potential victims. The article quickly gained attention, and soon after, Catriona's phone began ringing with more women coming forward, each with their own harrowing experiences involving Harkins. Some women were eager to share their stories publicly, while others preferred to remain anonymous. They spoke of manipulation, fraud, and even physical and emotional abuse. One man, who had known Harkins in his youth, warned Catriona to be cautious, claiming that Harkins had a history of violence. As the investigation unfolded, it became clear that Harkins had been operating across the country, scamming numerous women out of their money. The police initially dismissed Lisa's case as a civil matter, but as more women came forward, they decided to take action. They requested that Catriona halt her reporting to avoid alerting Harkins to the growing evidence against him. The women who had bravely shared their stories were contacted by the police, and many chose to file formal complaints against Harkins. They understood that the process would be long and challenging, but they were determined to see justice served. Months passed, filled with anxiety and uncertainty, until finally, in December 2019, Harkins was arrested. The women felt a sense of relief, but they knew the battle was far from over. In early 2020, Catriona received a call from a woman in London who had a terrifying encounter with Harkins. She had stayed with him in a luxurious hotel, only to be warned by a receptionist that he was using a false name. This woman quickly left the hotel, taking Harkins's wallet with her, which confirmed his true identity. The police acted swiftly, and Harkins was convicted and sentenced to prison. However, this led to delays in the Scottish trial, causing further frustration for the women involved. Despite the challenges, their determination to see Harkins held accountable never wavered. Catriona attended every day of the trial, witnessing the courage of the women who had come forward. Harkins was ultimately found guilty of multiple offenses, including rape and fraud, and was sentenced to 12 years in prison. As he was led away, he turned to Catriona and claimed, 'This is because of you. ' But Catriona knew the truth: it was the bravery of the women who stood up to Harkins that had brought him to justice.