Multi Millionaire & Ex Special Forces Soldier Sentenced This Week

3 Years 2 months Guilty Plea

The 35-year-old fraudster Joseph Gibson took nearly £68,000 from unsuspecting Tinder victims claiming to be an ex special forces soldier and multimillionaire cancer patient .

Pleading guilty to fraud by false representation Joseph was sentenced at Bristol Crown Court to three years and two months.

Joseph Gibson's scam was convincing, multi layered and used an extensive web of lies. Victims were scammed under romance fraud and investment scams.

The fraudster used the dating platform Tinder to build trust with two of the four victims, one of which believed they were in a relationship. He had told his victims he had 21 rental properties, homes all over the world including Dubai, Mayfair, Sandbanks and Bath. Bank statements, business names and business opportunities were all fabricated to encourage victims to invest.

Victim 1 lost £5600 scammed for hospital expenses and online trading opportunities.

Victim 2 lost £21,000 scammed under investment fraud.

Victim 3 lost £18,000 scammed under investment fraud.

Victim 4 lost £23,350 a retired super yacht captain scammed under investment fraud.

Sentencing was requested to be deferred by Gibson's barrister to allow time for Joseph to repay his victims. Gibson reported he had £40,000 in savings to the court but it was understood £15,000 was in his account.

BBC Reported Lead investigator Jenny Williams, of Avon and Somerset Police said: "Joseph Gibson is a confident and manipulative man who developed an extensive web of lies for his own personal gain."

Judge Crooknorth overriding the case said "You are sorry for the position you have found yourself in."