UK Tinder swindler who conned Dubai woman out of Dh700,000 sentenced to jail

For 15 months, a British swindler wooed a Dubai woman, promising her a life of luxury and riches before conning her out of more than Dh700,000 to fund his lavish lifestyle.

But this week he finally ran out of luck.

Richard Dexter, 38, was sentenced to four-and-a-half years in jail by a United Kingdom (UK) court following a complaint by the Indian expatriate.

Earlier, the father-of-two from Southsea Hampshire had pleaded guilty to seven counts of fraud.

He was subsequently convicted by the Portsmouth Crown Court.

The charming fraudster told the Indian woman he was a successful businessman on the verge of receiving a windfall when they met on the dating application (app), Tinder.

As part of his fanciful lies, Dexter claimed to the woman he owned private jets and had over Dh20 million in an investment account

It turned out to be a big lie.

The account belonged to a friend who had a balance of less than Dh200.

Prosecutor Robert Byran told the court that Dexter initially made contact with the Indian woman in 2015 on Tinder.

“He claimed he was a successful businessman selling biopharma technology and was worth £6.8 (Dh33.89) million. He said he was involved in Hollywood studios and he alluded to immense wealth, private jets and expensive cars,” Byran said.

Bryan said Dexter sent the Indian national living in Dubai, a message saying: ‘I’m 32, most of my friends did college and university, all of them have debts and worries and all earn £40,000 (Dh199,339) to £60,000 (Dh299,009). I bought a hot air balloon yesterday just because I could.’

As their relationship blossomed, Dexter persuaded the woman that he needed capital to start production of a scientific equipment called Bioreactor Paddle.

He told her that “she wouldn't lose anything” and that he would pay her £100,000 (Dh498, 496) as interest.

mazhar@khaleejtimes.com