By Matthew Lodge
Updated 07 May 2024
Do you know anyone impacted by this fraud? Contact matthew.lodge@mailonline.co.uk
A cunning con artist swindled £80,000 from multiple women he met on Tinder, by stealing their private information while out on dates with them.
Peter Gray, 35, discreetly snapped pictures of the ladies’ driving licenses and bank cards during dates. Subsequently, he used the stolen data to apply for huge bank loans.
Despite appearing as a loving and compassionate partner, Gray concealed a twisted side. A certain incident raised a red flag for the victims when Gray sent flowers to one of the ladies’ homes without knowing her address.
As an outcome, Gray left a path of destruction, with one victim losing her mortgage two days before her move, consequent to his deception.
In February, the court sentenced the swindler to 56 months in jail, along with restraining orders preventing him from reaching out to the four victims.
The victims suggest extreme caution against similar scams, with one expressing that the experience had ‘totally disturbed my life.’ Tinder claims to have established numerous measures to alert users of possible scams.
Were YOU affected by this scam? Do reach out at matthew.lodge@mailonline.co.uk.
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During their initial meetings, Gray showcased himself as an empathetic gentleman, according to a victim. While recounting her experiences to BBC Radio 5 Live’s Clare McDonnell, ‘Jessica’ narrated how she fell into Gray’s trap during their third date.
Apparently, Gray sifted through her bag and photographed her driving license and bank cards while she left her bag unattended. Using the stolen information, he applied for a loan of £9,000 in her name. Upon discovering the fraud, Jessica approached the police, despite Gray’s assurance to repay the amount over time. The entire episode has left her distrusting of strangers.
Another victim, Hannah, felt that something was amiss with Gray, despite his calming and reassuring presence. Shortly after ending their relationship, she received correspondence confirming the acceptance of a loan application of £20,000. Even after convincing her back, Hannah ended the relationship due to ‘warning signals and red flags.’ Later, she discovered her pregnancy. However, upon learning about Gray’s past, she decided against involving her child ‘anywhere near such a vile human.’
In 2020, Elizabeth encountered a similar experience with Gray. The hunch of something being wrong grew stronger when Gray sent flowers to her house, without even knowing her address. Elizabeth’s nightmare became a reality when her mortgage was revoked two days before moving into her new house after Gray secured a loan of £10,000 using her driving license. The experience has left Elizabeth skeptical of people and she constantly questions their authenticity.
Gray was eventually apprehended when two of his victims sought the assistance of the Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme or Clare’s Law, pleading the police to conduct background checks on him.
A representative from Tinder warned users of scams possibly occurring on any online platform, not just dating apps. They stated that Tinder has implemented measures such as AI tools to detect suspicious phrases and instinctively intervene. They encouraged their users to look for the ‘blue tick,’ indicating that the user’s age and likeness have been validated. Also, users can request the photo-verification of their match prior to messaging.
## FAQ:
#### 1. How was Peter Gray finally caught?
Gray was eventually apprehended when two of his victims sought the assistance of the Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme or Claire’s Law, pleading the police to conduct background checks on him.
#### 2. How are dating apps acting against scamming incidents such as these?
A representative from Tinder stated that they have implemented measures such as AI tools to detect suspicious phrases and instinctively intervene. Also, they encourage their users to look for the ‘blue tick,’ indicating that the user’s age and likeness have been validated.
#### 3. What can users do to ensure the authenticity of their matches?
Users of dating apps can request the photo-verification of their match prior to messaging. In the case of Tinder, this can be done by looking for the ‘blue tick’ on their profile.
