Tinder conman told victims he had cancer and was a multi-millionaire

A "psychopathic" swindler took tens of thousands of pounds from victims by claiming he was an ex-special forces multi-millionaire with cancer, a court heard.

Joseph Gibson told his victims he was was worth hundreds of millions of pounds, had served in the Special Boat Service and owned yachts.

The 35-year-old, from Penbryn Nant, in Ruthin, Denbighshire, met two of his victims on dating app Tinder and convinced one they were in a relationship.

He pleaded guilty to four charges of fraud by false representation, which happened between July 2020 and October 2021.

Ellen MacAnaw, prosecuting, told Bristol Crown Court Gibson would tell victims he needed cash for cancer treatment, despite his claims to be rich.

A Devon businesswoman lost more than £5,200 after believing his deceptions and, over four months, handed over money to him to buy stocks for her business.

"He told her he was worth over £400m and knew important people, regaling her with stories of owning lots of businesses, and showed her pictures of yachts he said he owned," MacAnaw said.

"In August 2020, he told her he had cancer again. He told her he had people on his back again for money. She sent him £100."

The court heard Gibson sent the woman photos which made it appear like he was in hospital, and continued asking for money - leaving her with just 93p in the bank.

In a victim impact statement, she said she no longer trusted people.

"It really upsets me when I hear about people having cancer because I question whether they are telling me the truth," she said.

She said Gibson once told her he had a haemorrhage and collapsed in a pool of blood while walking home after asking her for the taxi fare from hospital.

"[He made] me feel it was my fault because I didn't have enough money to pay for him to get a taxi," she said.

Within a month of contact with his first victim ending, Gibson found a second victim on Tinder.

"He said he wanted a submissive relationship where he would have control over her and in return pay her," the MacAnaw said.

"He said he was in University College London Hospital receiving treatment for radiation damage suffered while in the navy, and reportedly served in the SBS.

"He [said he] had a PhD and had been blown up by an IED."

Gibson told the woman he could invest her money, turning £10,000 into £150,000.

"At the start of 2021 he said his cancer had returned and he needed money urgently for private treatment. She took out a £4,000 loan," MacAnaw said.

"She described having a breakdown at work because of her concern for the defendant who she believed she was in a relationship with."

Gibson told her he was thinking of buying a yacht in Corfu for about £6m.

The woman took out loans and built up credit card debts after being conned by Gibson.

She lost more than £21,000 and was forced to take out an agreement to manage her debts.

"He has left me with nothing," she said in a victim impact statement.

The third victim was a relative of the second victim, who took out loans to buy into Gibson's bogus investment deals. In total she lost more than £18,000.

The fourth victim was a former super-yacht captain taken in by Gibson's claims of interest in sailing.

"He told him he had purchased a yacht for £7m after selling a weapons programme to the US government for £400m," MacAnaw said.

In total, the man gave Gibson more than £25,000 to invest in his businesses, the court heard.

In a victim impact statement, he said: "Joe is a psychopathic con artist who would not stop taking money from people.

"He is a danger to society."

The court heard in total Gibson conned four victims out of more than £70,000.

James Tucker, defending, said Gibson had about £40,000 in savings to repay his victims after working in engineering in the UK, Bulgaria and Dubai.

"It is clear from the pre-sentence report of his regret towards the people he has conned, not just the emotional and psychological but the financial harm," he said.

Judge Jaron Crooknorth adjourned sentencing until August to allow Gibson time to provide evidence he had the money he claimed to.