“THE officer in my case was absolutely lovely. She was really attentive and supportive the whole way through this process.

“Something substantial needs to happen to people like this, sentences need to be tough, to act as a deterrent for anyone else thinking they can get away with this kind of fraud.”

That’s from the victim of a romance fraudster who was arrested by the Economic Crime Team after scamming three men out of almost £12,000.

Kerry Gray, 37, used fake dating profiles, pictures and social media accounts to build relationships with each of her victims, between 2022 and 2025.

A spokesperson said: “The victims told us once a friendly relationship was established and the conversations had progressed, money was then extracted from them under various manipulative pretences.

Amongst a whole host of fraudulent claims, she told victims that she was suffering with cancer, further feigning family illnesses and bereavements.

She also falsified emails from a police officer alleging she had been the victim of physical abuse.
Out of good will, fear for her wellbeing, or a genuine belief that she needed urgent financial help, the victims transferred money on multiple occasions.

After each of the victims uncovered the fraud, reports were made and we commenced a lengthy and detailed investigation.

Gray, of Milwards, Harlow, was arrested and charged in March this year with three counts of fraud by false representation.

She admitted each charge and appeared for sentence at Chelmsford Crown Court on Wednesday 6 August.

In a statement read to the court, one victim said: “I was targeted by someone who pretended to be someone they were not on a dating app.

“At a time when I was vulnerable and seeking connection, this person gained my trust, and I let my guard down.

“Over time, they manipulated me into believing I was helping them, promising to pay me back every time they borrowed money.
“This has had an impact on forming new relationships and meeting new people, especially through dating apps.”
Gray was given a two year suspended sentence.

Detective Constable Georgette Hixon, officer in the case, said: “Each of the victims suffered profoundly because of the selfish actions of Kerry Gray.

“I would firstly pay tribute to each of the three victims for sticking with us throughout a lengthy investigation and prosecution.

“This case should send a strong message that romance fraud – a growing issue nationally – will be treated extremely seriously by Essex Police.
“Perpetrators who engage in this extremely harmful offence will be tracked down, arrested and put before the courts.
“Victims will be listened to.

“It’s understandable to feel a whole range of negative emotions if you fall victim to fraud of this nature.
“However understandable it is to feel that way, it is also really important to emphasise the fact that it is never the fault of the victim.

“Romance fraudsters will use horrific pretences – it might be something you never thought a person could lie about – in order to build that sense of urgency. They will carefully build that relationship before asking for money.

“Fraudsters like Gray will utilise manipulation and coercion, they will build trust, they will exploit until they get what they want.
“The first step is making a report to the police or Action Fraud.”

In Essex, dating scams are among the top five frauds, with losses amounting to £2,363,430 in 2024, and an average loss per offence of more than £13,000.

The UK has the third highest number of dating app users in the world with more than 11 million people looking for love online.

Read more on our website about the warning signs to look out for when meeting potential new love interests online.
If you believe you’ve been a victim of romance fraud, get in touch with us.

You can also contact Action Fraud – the national fraud and cybercrime reporting centre – by calling 0300 123 2040.