Fraudster Used Fake Identities to Deceive Victims Over Several Years
A man who tricked at least 10 women into giving him a total of £100,000 through fraudulent romantic relationships has been sentenced to 11 years in prison. David Checkley, 65, was convicted of 19 fraud charges and one theft charge following a lengthy investigation.
Between February 2017 and February 2021, Checkley targeted women aged 40 to 70, using online dating platforms to establish fake personas. He presented himself as a fighter pilot, a Vietnam War veteran, a successful architect, and someone with powerful connections, even claiming his ex-wife was an American billionaire.
According to the Metropolitan Police, Checkley convinced his victims he was an intelligent and affluent man, before persuading them to lend him money for various fabricated reasons, such as urgent home repairs or a rare opportunity to purchase a discounted Rolex. One victim, who had been in a relationship with Checkley for five years, was unaware of his deceitful activities.
Checkley, operating under the alias David Cohen, was finally apprehended in June 2021 after several women reported him to the authorities. Despite being on holiday in Ibiza when officers raided his home in St Albans, he was arrested upon his return.
A subsequent investigation uncovered evidence linking Checkley to his fraudulent schemes, including receipts for expensive jewellery, a brochure for a luxurious mansion, and documents showing he had purchased a £7,250 Rolex watch using a victim’s funds. Additionally, investigators found two new Harley Davidson motorbikes and several high-end vehicles parked at his property.
Detective Superintendent John Roch of the Metropolitan Police’s Economic Crime Team stated, “Checkley was a systematic fraudster who manipulated the trust of his victims in the most callous way. He is a fantasist who lived a lie, and it is vital that individuals like him are brought to justice.” He also praised the victims for coming forward, highlighting the emotional and financial toll such crimes take on individuals.
The sentence marks a significant step in holding romance fraudsters accountable and offers some closure to the women affected by Checkley’s actions.
