Serial Romance Fraudster Who Claimed To Be Billionaire Jailed After Conning Four Women (image-twitter/cheshirepolice)
A serial romance fraudster, Cieran McNamara, was jailed for swindling more than Є300,000 from four women across the UK. The 37-year-old appeared as Ciaran Griffin, Christian McNamara, and Myles McNamara, preyed on four wealthy women tricking them to believe that they were in a loving relationship.
The fraudster from Conventy was sentenced on Tuesday to seven years in prison after pleading guilty to four charges of fraud by false representation, reports BBC.
He used a variety of techniques including online and in exclusive hotels and clubs to prey the women. McNamara led a lavish lifestyle, traveling across the UK in a first-class train, plains, and 5-star hotels.
After selecting his victims carefully, he would start a relationship with them by convincing them that he was a successful businessman with a high-value property portfolio across the UK. To convince the victims, he showed the images of him at mansions in London and Cheshire to substantiate his account. To avoid any kind of doubts, he even flooded the women with gifts, weekend aways, and expensive meals.
But none of them knew that he was using the money of the earlier victim to fund his lifestyle. During his ‘fake’ relationship, he will create a scenario to borrow money by claiming an issue with the bank. He continued his act of fraudulence until the fourth woman in Cheshire realized what he was doing and reported her concern to the police.
“McNamara is a serial fraudster, and I truly believe that he cannot tell the difference between reality and fantasy,” said Det Con Victoria Hazlewood, of Cheshire Constabulary.
Det further added that he convinced his victims that he was a millionaire with properties across the country, but in reality, he was unemployed and living out of a suitcase.
In total between 1 September 2022 and 25 September last year, McNamara managed to manipulate four women in Cheshire, Warwickshire, and Hertfordshire to hand over £302,054.26.
An investigation was launched by detectives from the Cheshire Constabulary Economic Crime Unit. The swindler was arrested on Thursday, September 28 from Colchester. He was subsequently charged with four counts of fraud by false representation.
Following his arrest, officers raided a storage unit rented by McNamara where they recovered approximately 19,500 pounds worth of brand-new goods including a 1,900 pounds Burberry Coat, 400 pounds Burberry Scarf, Dubarry boots, Gucci trainers, and a Ping golf set. Inquires to locate all other items belonging to him are ongoing.
During the hearing, Judge Simon Berkson said McNamara was a real risk into the future, as he had very little sympathy for his victims.
