Joseph Gibson, 35, has been jailed for three years and two months after admitting defrauding four people of £68,000 through an elaborate dating and investment scam. His victims said he built trust through dating apps and claims of wealth, military service and serious illness, before persuading them to hand over savings or take out loans; the case highlights the severe and lasting harm caused by romance fraud.

Between July 2020 and October 2021, Gibson claimed to be a former Special Boat Service soldier, a multimillionaire with yachts and property, and a cancer patient receiving hospital treatment. He reportedly used fake trading portfolios, images of luxury assets and staged hospital photographs and sounds to support his stories, while discouraging victims from questioning inconsistencies. Victims described financial hardship, damaged credit and lasting emotional distress; the judge said Gibson had preyed on their affections and stolen their goals.