'I feel pathetic': Victim of internet catfish speaks out

Peter was hopeful about finding love again when he matched with Charlotte, a nurse, on a dating app. She seemed genuine, with a bubbly personality and interests that matched his own. They chatted daily, exchanging messages and photos. Charlotte sent pictures of herself in a nurse's uniform and talked about her wealthy family, her horse, and her love for designer handbags. Peter felt a strong connection and even told his family about his new relationship. However, after a year, Peter discovered that Charlotte was actually Kerry Gray, a serial fraudster who had conned him out of nearly £3,500. Gray had also tricked two other men, stealing more than £11,000 in total. This type of scam is known as 'catfishing,' where someone creates a fake identity online to deceive others and steal from them.

Peter had been dealing with depression before he decided to try online dating. He met Charlotte on Plenty of Fish, and they quickly became close. She seemed knowledgeable about medicine and sent him photos that made her story believable. Peter asked her out several times, but she always had an excuse and they never met in person. Eventually, Charlotte started asking Peter for money, usually small amounts for things like taxi fares, claiming she couldn't drive because of her mental health. She always promised to pay him back and gave sad stories about her family to make him feel sorry for her. Over time, her requests grew larger, and Peter had to ask his parents for money, feeling guilty for lying about his situation.

Peter began to suspect something was wrong when Charlotte refused to meet and only did video calls in the dark. When he tried to end the relationship, she threatened to harm herself and sent him disturbing images. She later claimed she was in the hospital with cancer and needed £1,000 for medical bills. Peter paid, but when he called the hospital, they had no record of her. Realizing he had been scammed, Peter stopped contacting her, but she continued to send him messages, making him feel unsafe. He contacted the police, and Gray was arrested. In court, it was revealed that Gray had a difficult life and was not wealthy as she claimed. Peter felt ashamed and embarrassed, struggling with trust issues. The police said romance scams are increasing, with thousands of cases reported each year. They advised people to be cautious about sending money to someone they haven't met and to seek advice from friends or family. Victims should remember it's not their fault and that emotional support is important.