Kym’s dating horror
Kym Marsh reveals how she became the victim of fraud as she fronts a new documentary on dating scams
As a pop star, topping the charts with Hear’Say, and then an actress, starring in CoronationStreet, Kym Marsh has one of the UK’s most recognisable faces. But she recently revealed her ‘horror’ after she discovered her identity had been stolen and used by a fraudster in an online con. Kym revealed her traumatic experience, as she has now turned TV presenter to front a documentary about people who fall victim to frauds while looking for love online.
‘I find the subject fascinating, and it was relatable to me as I previously discovered that my own identity had been stolen by a scammer to catfish someone else. I was in a relationship at the time and received flowers from someone who thought they were dating me. I was totally horrified by the experience,’ she said.
And it is not just Kym, 43, who has fallen prey to this kind of fraud – she revealed that shockingly, her daughter Emilie, 21, had also become a victim.
‘My daughter also had her identity stolen on a dating site. When you talk to friends and family, [ you] realise how prevalent the issue has become.’ And Kym, who has just quit
Coronation Street, has no doubt over how much damage the crime can inflict on its victims.
‘It’s such an awful crime. The effects are long-lasting and they don’t just steal [victims’] money but often their dignity and ability to trust others. There are thousands of innocent people out there who fall victim to romance fraud, many of whom are targeted on reputable dating sites.’
Happily, twice-divorced Kym has no need of dating sites herself as she is blissfully coupled up with boyfriend Scott Ratcliffe, a major in the Parachute Regiment. who she met via mutual friend Antony Cotton. However, his job means they are apart for long periods, and he won’t be back this Christmas.
‘ We had eight weeks apart when he went to Kenya last year, but this will be the longest absence because he’s away for six months in total. It will be tough, but that’s the life of an army girlfriend,’ she said. • For Love Or Money is on BBC One this week, Tuesday – Friday, at 9.15am