How a serial romance scammer took £300,000 from women in 'Tinder Swindler-style con' by posing with yachts online
A SERIAL romance fraudster has swindled £300,000 from his victims by showcasing his lavish lifestyle in fake dating app profiles.
Cieran McNamara also posed yachts and outside mansions to trick his unsuspecting victims into sending him cash.
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He then used the ill-gotten gains to spend money on first-class trips to five-star hotels hotels with the aim of deceiving more women.
McNamara, 37, used false aliases to date apps and also frequented exclusive clubs and hotels to pursue wealthy women.
The scammer would shower the victims with gifts, weekend getaways and… luxury eat meals money he had stolen to finance his lifestyle.
Once hooked, McNamara then claimed he was having problems with his bank account and needed to borrow money.
When his victims questioned him, the scammer blamed the women for doubting him until they gave in.
McNamara has now been jailed for seven years after admitting four counts of fraud by false representation.
Chester Crown Court heard the fraudster posing under the names Ciaran Griffin, Christian McNamara and Myles McNamara.
He convinced women that he was a successful businessman with a high-end property portfolio in the UK.
McNamara showed the victims photos of his “mansions” and of him traveling around the world first class.
The scam was similar to “Tindler Scammer” Simon Leviev, who posed as a jet-setting tycoon to defraud women of millions of pounds.
Between September 1, 2022 and September 25, 2023 he deceived four women into handing over £302,054.26.
But his lies were unraveled when a victim, from Cheshire, became aware of his claims and reported him to police Police.
Officers from Cheshire Constabulary Economic Crime Unit raided a McNamara lock-up and discovered £19,500 worth of brand new goods.
This included a £1,900 Burberry Coat, £400 Burberry scarf, Dubarry bootsGucci sneakers and a Ping golf set.
Police are still locating other items, and a proceeds of crime hearing will take place in the future.
Detective Inspector Victoria Hazlewood, who led the investigation, said: 'McNamara is a serial fraudster and I truly believe he cannot tell the difference between reality and fantasy.
“During our investigation, we uncovered a web of lies involving thousands of text messages he sent to his victims to extort money to fund his lavish lifestyle.
“He convinced his victims that he was a millionaire with properties across the country, but in reality he was unemployed and living out of his suitcase.
“McNamara identified ways in which he could control and manipulate his victims and throughout the investigation he has shown no remorse for his actions.
“He truly believed that he would never be caught by the police and that he would never be held accountable for his despicable behavior.”
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