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Catfishing a conman back on dating app days after jail release

Catfishing a conman back on dating app days after jail release

Summary

BBC journalist Philippa Goymer exposed a romance fraudster, Raymond McDonald, who was back on dating apps days after his release from prison. McDonald, who has a long history of fraud convictions, believed he was communicating with a potential victim, but was instead interacting with an undercover reporter. He was soon arrested for breaking his parole conditions.

Key Facts

  • Raymond McDonald had 58 convictions mostly for fraud and theft over 20 years.
  • He was released from prison in November 2025 and soon after went back to using dating apps.
  • The BBC set up a sting operation with a reporter posing as a potential romantic partner.
  • McDonald violated a court order banning him from using dating sites.
  • He offered fake promises of helping a fake "Kaye" and her family.
  • North Yorkshire officers arrested him on December 15 for breaking parole rules.
  • Northumbria Police said potentially hundreds of women have been defrauded by him.
  • More women reported him after seeing the BBC documentary about him.
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