Show Notes
Vicky Pattison talks to author Becky Holmes who has turned the tables on scammers who pretend to be celebrities. They attempt to contact “Elon Musk” and recreate conversations with “Mick Jagger” and “Keanu Reeves” - all spelling and grammatic errors are the fraudsters own. If you have been affected by a scam or fraud, there's help available via bbc.co.uk/actionline on the 'Fraud & Scams" page. Statements from platforms featured: Instagram say that accounts that impersonate someone else are against their Community Guidelines and they remove them when brought to their attention. They say that they have added extra protections to the user’s genuine Facebook and Instagram accounts designed to tackle account impersonation. They say they don’t allow fraudulent activity and work closely with law enforcement to support investigations. X(formerly Twitter) say Impersonation is a violation of their rules. They say that you may not misappropriate the identity of individuals, groups, or organizations or use a fake identity to deceive others. They say when they receive an impersonation report, they will investigate the reported account to determine if it violates the X Rules. Accounts determined to be in violation of their Misleading and Deceptive identities policy will either be suspended or asked to update the account(s) so they no longer violate their policies. Presenter: Vicky Pattison. Producer: Emma Goswell. Sounds Producer: Paul Hilton. Online producer: Rachael Smith. Producer for You Tube: Paul Gay. Visualised Podcast Team: Amita Parekh, Ali Ali, Alicia Thursting, Andy Bosley, Chris House, David Kwan, Natasha Peach, Rafael Bujosa, Rob Grieve and The 44d team. Executive Producer: Kathryn Morrison.
More from Love Bombed
Vicky Pattison wonders what it would take to stop Ray MacDonald offending, after his seven jail sentences imposed to-date, across two decades. Vicky looks at the court system and its limitations, laws surrounding dating apps and asks whether there’s anything that could prevent Ray from pursuing the women he targets. Love Bombed: WifeHunter presented by Vicky Pattison. Writer and Producer: Jane Downs and Barney Rowntree. Investigative reporter: Philippa Goymer. Story Consultant: Barney Rowntree. Sound designer: Kasel Kundola. Online Producer: Rachael Smith. Executive Producer: Dan Farthing (BBC Investigations NE & Cumbria). Commissioning Editor: Alistair Miskin. Lovebombed was made at BBC Radio Newcastle for BBC Sounds. Visit bbc.co.uk/actionline for help and support on issues raised in this series.
Ray McDonald agrees to an interview after being rumbled using dating apps under a false name. Meanwhile, Vicky catches up with some of the women whose lives have been turned upside down by Ray and discovers why it’s so hard for victims of romance fraud to rebuild their lives. Love Bombed: WifeHunter presented by Vicky Pattison. Writer and Producer: Jane Downs and Barney Rowntree. Investigative reporter: Philippa Goymer. Story Consultant: Barney Rowntree. Sound designer: Kasel Kundola. Online Producer: Rachael Smith. Executive Producer: Dan Farthing (BBC Investigations NE & Cumbria). Commissioning Editor: Alistair Miskin. Lovebombed was made at BBC Radio Newcastle for BBC Sounds. Visit bbc.co.uk/actionline for help and support on issues raised in this series.
Ray McDonald is out of prison. He’s already broken his restraining order banning him from dating apps and is on a website posing as “Rob from York”. Vicky’s production team arrange a date with his latest alter ego. They witness first-hand the tried and tested love bombing techniques that Ray has used for years before finally confronting him. Love Bombed: WifeHunter presented by Vicky Pattison. Writer and Producer: Jane Downs and Barney Rowntree. Investigative reporter: Philippa Goymer. Story Consultant: Barney Rowntree. Sound designer: Kasel Kundola. Online Producer: Rachael Smith. Executive Producer: Dan Farthing (BBC Investigations NE & Cumbria). Commissioning Editor: Alistair Miskin. Lovebombed was made at BBC Radio Newcastle for BBC Sounds. Visit bbc.co.uk/actionline for help and support on issues raised in this series.
Vicky Pattison explores Ray McDonald’s past, asking those who know him best why they think he has spent decades scamming people. Vicky asks whether time spent in the army may have given Ray the skills to be a better conman and hears how his refusal to deal with any fallout from his lies has affected his family life. Love Bombed: WifeHunter presented by Vicky Pattison. Writer and Producer: Jane Downs and Barney Rowntree. Investigative reporter: Philippa Goymer. Story Consultant: Barney Rowntree. Sound designer: Kasel Kundola. Online Producer: Rachael Smith. Executive Producer: Dan Farthing (BBC Investigations NE & Cumbria). Commissioning Editor: Alistair Miskin. Lovebombed was made at BBC Radio Newcastle for BBC Sounds. Visit bbc.co.uk/actionline for help and support on issues raised in this series.
As the extent of Ray McDonald’s repeat offending starts to become clear, Vicky discovers he has been released from his latest sentence. Vicky hears from Susan who went to school with Ray McDonald in County Durham. She grew up with him but that didn’t stop him from ruining her life. Love Bombed: WifeHunter presented by Vicky Pattison. Writer and Producer: Jane Downs and Barney Rowntree. Investigative reporter: Philippa Goymer. Story Consultant: Barney Rowntree. Sound designer: Kasel Kundola. Online Producer: Rachael Smith. Executive Producer: Dan Farthing (BBC Investigations NE & Cumbria). Commissioning Editor: Alistair Miskin. Lovebombed was made at BBC Radio Newcastle for BBC Sounds. Visit bbc.co.uk/actionline for help and support on issues raised in this series.