‘We Were Victims of Britain’s Most Prolific Romance Scammer’ | This Morning

Research shows that this is the busiest sign-up time of the year for dating apps, but if you’re looking for love, it’s important to stay vigilant. Last year in the UK, a staggering £92m was lost to romance scams - with an average loss of £11,500 per victim. We’re joined today by two women who know the pain and financial turmoil romance fraud can bring. Lise and Sharon both separately fell for Britain’s most prolific romance scammer David Checkley - who spent years defrauding at least ten women of around £100,000. United by heartbreak and betrayal, they join us today to tell us how they fell for his lies and share a warning they wished they’d heard before.

Broadcast on 08/01/2024

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[Doors-and-Crosscheck]

I must be the most paranoid person in the world coz 2 weeks into dating if a man asked me for money I’d LAUGH in his face and kick him out lol

[inerit]

we need to encourage people to share their stories! There is a lonely vulnerable or elderly person somewhere who needs to hear this!

[Greg-flcb]

Lending serious money after only 3 weeks of knowing

[ChallengerA]

A lethal combination of vanity and gullibility with money burning a hole in their pockets.

[t_albino]

From my experience dealing with scammers and watching how they work online... the public need to get smarter. It's not about watching out for dodgy people - it's about how they work. The no. 1 thing theyre looking for is your complete faith and trust in them, no questions asked. They will be prepared to break you down in order to make this happen. Once you agree to that, they have you easily in their hands. You've got to be strong, confident and careful around strangers - and always tell someone or let them know if you're being abused in any way.
But in our world today, where everyone keeps their information hidden away instead of sharing, its no wonder more of these kinds of problems keep happening. It's not just about being aware - but about being open with others.

[lisagray]

Scammers made £92m last year alone! I am flabbergasted that women fall for these losers time and time again. If a man asks for money 2 weeks after meeting you, it's a red flag! It doesn't even sound like he was a considerate partner.
At least this one got caught. Sarly, there are still thousands more out there. If people didn't give money to them, they would have to work for a living and pay tax!.

[bp]

If someone asks you for money and you give it to them after barely knowing them, you scammed or rather tricked yourself.

[gabrielletanner]

I'm seventy and have been approached by three men (not interested) after my husband passed a year ago.. on Facebook campaigning for animals and approached by 58 single men from all over the world, like many on Facebook, no details of our lives printed. It's all psychological they are very clever...NEVER GIVE DETAILS OF YOUR LIFE, NEVER NEVER GIVE MONEY, IN FACT DONT USE DATING SIGHTS.

[melinmove]

How can they say they were in love? After 2 weeks you're giving him money, and after however long he is controlling who you see and where you go, but you're in love? 😂😂😂

[jhem]

The one character trait these news segments always leave out is that of DESPERATION. Most of us, if not all of us need companionship and if one finds themselves lonely in one way or another, this leaves the door wide open for love scammers.

Why describe these women as ‘smart’ and ‘intelligent’ when clearly both women lacked a sense of emotional intelligence, common sense and self-esteem which lead them to be conned out of thousands?

Too much focus on the ‘red flags’ to look out for but not enough focus on the work one must do on themselves to avoid getting caught out by these scammers!

[ELEKTRARE]

They look the perfect targets for scammers & look so desperate literally 😱😱

[angelwings]

Best not to trust anyone these days. Far too many con artists out there, and it’s only getting worse. Better to stay on your own, than deal with deceitful people. Unfortunately this approach can impact finding the right person, however, it’s better to remain vigilant & not expose yourself to risk. Avoid dating sites too.

[melanie]

Hes a narcissist. When you first encounter one you are taken in by the love bombing as its such an exciting and addictive feeling. Then you fall fast and think because theyve told you intimate details of their lives you know them. Then the devaluation starts and when they are back to their other self its wonderful. They make you feel like your going crazy and you're the problem. You never get closur or anything that makes sense from them.

[TerriNova]

These poor woman were abused psychologically.. Victims of a a narcissist!! Unfortunately the apple does not fall far from the tree!! his som Shane Checkley a famous London DJ is doing the same thing with a number of young women .. the police do nothing about it.

[agyvonne]

The commentator said they’re both smart, bright women. Really?? The first one tells her whole life story to the scammer within a hour or so. Is that smart? Who does that?

[julielawlor]

Come on its been out there for years about these men and yet women still dont learn

[lindanoble]

He's not that handsome, and there are red flags all over this.... They're both intelligent women but this was really obvious

[ColleenCol-zk]

Silly to let them know too much too soon.

[natalieelliott]

I have no understanding why any one would give a man money after such a short period of time and actually EVER. If a man cannot take care of himself financially then HELLO you won’t be getting your money back because he doesn’t even take care of himself financially. Believing any of this is ludicrous. I just cannot have any empathy for women who do this.

[MM-qppd]

Reminds me of the bad surgeon on Netflix. Real life doctor who conned nbc producer and used humans as lab rats. So scary. And he's still out of prison.