By Lynda Roughley & Stephen Topping
Senior reporter
Jordan Guest, a 27-year-old from Timperley, has been sentenced for scamming a grieving widower out of £20,000 by posing as a paedophile hunter. The victim, a man from Warrington whose identity is protected for legal reasons, sought companionship on Tinder after losing his wife, believing it was an age-verified dating platform.
Initially, Guest contacted the victim using the profile of ‘Georgia,’ sharing images of a woman enjoying nights out. After encouraging the victim to switch to WhatsApp, ‘Georgia’ claimed she was only 15 and sent provocative photos, pressuring him to engage in inappropriate conversations. The victim ended their chats after just three days.
However, Guest quickly returned, claiming to be part of a paedophile hunting group and extorting money from the victim. Prosecutor Frank Dillon detailed in Liverpool Crown Court how ‘Georgia’ began the conversation on February 12. The victim, believing he was communicating with a trustworthy individual, was manipulated into a web of deceit.
Guest’s tactics included sending messages that played on the victim’s emotions, including threats of exposure. This manipulation led the victim to pay thousands over five months, showcasing the extent of Guest’s fraudulent scheme.