FACECROOK Fraudster lover exposed online... then more women come forward
SUNDAY MIRROR
A WOMAN shamed a fraudster ex-lover on Facebook – and was stunned when others shared bitter experiences of the same man.
Catherine Blackett, 22, put photos of smooth charmer Thomas Raven on the social media site warning users after he racked up huge debts in her name.
Raven – 20 years her senior – had spent thousands on store cards, even opening two new ones after they split.
Catherine was furious that he escaped with only a caution after a police probe, despite admitting fraud and forgery.
So she uploaded two pictures of him on to Facebook and advised women to “be aware” of the bit-part actor, adding: “He’ll bleed you dry.”
She wrote: “I know posting this won’t benefit me, I’ve already lost my fight with him but I hate the thought of him getting away with it again.”
And to her amazement others replied to her post – with one calling Raven a “douche” and another saying she wished she had never met him.
Catherine, of Somercotes, Derbys, said: “I wanted to warn others and I am so glad I did.”
Her story comes in the week a new report warned record numbers of people are now falling victim to fraud via online dating. The National Fraud Intelligence Bureau says 4,000 victims reported scams totalling £40million in 2016. Catherine met Raven, who has been in TV shows and films including Highlander and The Irish Good Samaritan, after he messaged her via Facebook. A whirlwind romance began and she left the home she shared with an ex to move in with him. But things went wrong after she noticed he was using shared credit cards to buy things for himself. She said: “He told me he’d pay it back and not to make a big deal.” Catherine then discovered he had bought her Christmas presents – plus gifts for his kids – on a shared credit card. But worse was to come after they broke up and she was contacted by companies seeking payment on cards which had been taken out in her name. Following her warning about Raven on Facebook another woman, Debbie Mason, said: “I wish I’d never met him. My advice to anyone is stay away.” Another ex added: “I always knew there was something off about him.” Last month Raven received a caution at Ripley police station relating to two cards he opened after the break- up. Derbyshire police said: “A 42 year- old man received a caution for fraud and forgery in December.” Raven said: “I am not a bad person. She’s just bitter and it all spiralled out of control.” He declined to comment on the other women.
I wanted to warn others he would bleed them dry and I’m so glad I did CATHERINE BLACKETT ON POSTINGS ABOUT EX