A “manipulative and violent” Tinder swindler has been sentenced to 12 years in prison for a series of offences, including rape. Christopher Harkins, 37, exploited the dating app to target women seeking love, coercing them into handing over hundreds of thousands of pounds.
According to Police Scotland, Harkins used “manipulation, threats, coercive control, and violence” to support his “lavish lifestyle.” He presented himself as a successful businessman, only to later claim his bank account was frozen and request short-term loans from his victims.
Harkins also deceived several women into transferring money for holidays, providing them with fraudulent screenshots of supposed destinations. Despite women paying for half of these trips, the vacations were never booked.
His offences, committed between 2013 and 2019, involved 10 women across various regions, including Glasgow, Edinburgh, and Renfrewshire. The court revealed that nine victims were defrauded of over £214,000, with almost none of the money ever repaid. Harkins’ actions highlight the serious risks associated with online dating and the potential for manipulation by exploitative individuals.
