A woman in her mid-thirties from Great Yarmouth, named Leonnie Robson, has been found guilty of scamming several lonely men through social media and dating sites, extracting over £8,000 from them. Robson targeted vulnerable men online by creating false narratives, claiming to be in dire situations such as battling cancer, fleeing abuse, or dealing with personal tragedies. She would then manipulate these men into giving her money, starting with small amounts like £10 or £20 before escalating the requests. In total, the victims sent Robson £8,176, which she never repaid.
The scam came to light when a caregiver raised concerns to the Norfolk police about one of Robson’s victims sending money to an online acquaintance. Subsequent investigations uncovered eight additional victims. Shockingly, it was revealed that Robson committed these crimes while on parole after serving a prison sentence for a previous fraud conviction. The victims shared the emotional impact of Robson’s deceit in court statements, expressing feelings of betrayal and loss.
One victim lamented, “I believed I had found love, only to realize it was all a sham. It’s difficult to come to terms with.” Another victim expressed the emotional toll, stating, “Losing the money is one thing, but feeling unwanted and taken advantage of is far worse.” The fraud schemes have left victims wary of trusting others, with one individual deciding to quit online dating altogether due to the trauma caused by the scam.
During the court proceedings, Judge Robinson condemned Robson’s actions, highlighting the deliberate manipulation of victims through fabricated stories and emotional manipulation to extort money. The judge emphasized the severe impact on the victims, noting that one individual was coerced into giving up his last £1.07, leaving him penniless. The court acknowledged the significant planning involved in the fraud and the absence of any recovered funds, underscoring the gravity of Robson’s offenses.
