Raymond McDonald, 51, a prolific fraudster from North Tyneside, is serving another prison sentence for tricking women in a series of romance scams. McDonald, who has been convicted multiple times for fraud, deceived women into handing over thousands of pounds through lies about his job, financial status, and even the death of his mother.
His most recent crimes occurred between December 2023 and March 2024, shortly after he was released from prison in December 2023. He pleaded guilty to three counts of fraud and was sentenced to four-and-a-half years in prison. Along with his sentence, McDonald received lifelong restraining orders against his victims.
A known repeat offender, McDonald has 58 previous convictions, including 40 related to fraud and 12 for theft. His scams often involved fabricating emotional stories to gain the trust of his victims, including one woman, Paula, who shared her experience with the BBC. “He just made you feel, I don’t know, wanted. Special. I hadn’t been in a relationship for such a long time,” she said.
Back in 2016, McDonald was jailed for seven-and-a-half years after defrauding victims of over £30,000. Despite his past convictions, he continued his deceitful schemes even after serving time. McDonald’s manipulative tactics highlight the vulnerability of his victims and the persistence of his fraudulent behavior.
