Love-rat fraudster duped dozens of women into handing over 500K pounds

LONDON - A US born fraudster cheated dozens of vulnerable women he met on dating websites out of 500,000 pounds by pretending to be terminally ill, a court heard.

David Checkley, 53, who arranged blind dates on the internet, claimed he needed money for a life-saving operation to cure his Parkinson’s disease and that he had met ‘fellow sufferer’ Michael J Fox.

Checkley also posed as a US fighter pilot and told victims he had served in Vietnam - despite only being 18 when the war finished.

He also duped women into handing over money for his various business dealings as an architect and property developer, promising he would repay the cash.

Checkley even proposed marriage in a bid to get women - some of whom he forced to re-mortgage their homes to part with their money - to settle his debts.

Police say American-born Checkley managed to swindle more than 30 women out of at least 500,000 pounds and splashed the cash on flash sportscars and expensive designer watches.

‘It is the Crown’s case that this defendant was a consummate fraudster - a man with a golden tongue,” the Daily Mail quoted Don Tait, prosecuting at Bristol Crown Court, as saying.

‘Between 2003 and 2009 he conned a substantial amount of money out of a number of ladies who believed they were all the sole object of his affections.’

When they tried to get their money back Checkley would become hostile and threatening.

Checkley pleaded guilty to eight offences of fraud at Bristol Magistrates Court today and is due to be sentenced at Bristol Crown Court. (ANI)