Love Bombed
Vicky Pattison explores the double lives, mental trickery and manipulation involved with real life cheaters and their love lives.
Have you been love bombed? Tell us your story at lovebombed@bbc.co.uk.
Online Producer: Rachael Smith. Executive Producer: Kathryn Morrison.
Episodes
8. Fake tech
Exploring how technology can mask someone’s identity. Anna Rowe, LoveSaid website co-founder, shares how scammers are staying one step ahead.Featuring “This is not Morgan Freeman: A Deepfake Singularity”. Concept and deep fake by Bob de Jong. Freeman's voice is imitated by the Boet Schouwink.
13/02/24•15m 33s
7. Talking to a ghost
A former scammer based in Nigeria shares his secrets about the world of West African romance fraud.
13/02/24•10m 54s
6. Policing romance fraud
Follow DI Duncan Wynn from Thames Valley Police and his “high harm unit” as they investigate and support victims.
13/02/24•10m 25s
5. At the police station
Sarah suspects something isn't quite right when she asks Alex for proof of his identity and he sends a passport in a different name.Contains themes of mental distress and suicide. Visit bbc.co.uk/actionline for sources of help and support.
13/02/24•10m 18s
4. A Valentine’s Day to remember
Sarah is going to the airport to meet Alex for the very first time. He has sent her the details of his Lagos flight from Nigeria and Sarah is waiting in Arrivals full of anticipation and excitement.
13/02/24•12m 32s
3. Late night online
Alex and Sarah get more intimate sharing sexy images, they also make birthday plans for Alex's 12-year-old daughter, Cassie.With insights from forensic linguist and criminologist Dr Elisabeth Carter of Kingston University.
13/02/24•9m 4s
2. Falling in love
Sarah is looking for a loving relationship outside family responsibilities, Alex and her share lots in common, with promises made to build a life together.Could this be love?
13/02/24•8m 47s
1. My dream man
Sarah meets “Alex” online after a friend persuades her to sign up to dating website.
13/02/24•9m 54s
Introducing Series 2: Who is Alex?
Vicky Pattison explores the story of a woman who was the target of an online fraudster.
13/02/24•2m 5s
9. Why Did He Do It?
Businesses from across Tyneside line up with Coleen and Karen to help bring Greg Wilson to justice.Vicky asks "what was in it for him?" and explores how the deception continues to affect those who were caught up in it the most.Have you been love bombed? Tell us your story at lovebombed@bbc.co.uk.Writer/Producer: Jon Douglas.
Technical producer: Ollie Peart.
Online Producer: Rachael Smith.
Executive Producer: Kathryn Morrison.
13/02/23•13m 19s
8. The Reckoning
Vicky listens to the police tapes as Greg faces some tough questions. Police are amazed to discover Wilson had been up to his old tricks while he was on the run and it turns out there may have been real people playing the parts of fictitious characters.Have you been love bombed? Tell us your story at lovebombed@bbc.co.uk.Writer/Producer: Jon Douglas.
Technical producer: Ollie Peart.
Online Producer: Rachael Smith.
Executive Producer: Kathryn Morrison.
13/02/23•13m 38s
7. On The Run
Vicky looks at the police files containing surprising documents which Greg Wilson used to back up his stories to make them so believable.Meanwhile, Detective Constable Chris Bentham from Durham Police reveals where Greg Wilson had gone and how they found him.Have you been love bombed? Tell us your story at lovebombed@bbc.co.uk.Writer/Producer: Jon Douglas.
Technical producer: Ollie Peart.
Online Producer: Rachael Smith.
Executive Producer: Kathryn Morrison.
13/02/23•18m 28s
6. Greg's Wife, Rachel
Rachel explains how she and Greg Wilson first met, how he ‘love bombed’ her and how a happy marriage began to turn sour. She also shares how he managed to lead a double life with Coleen and talks about the impact it has had on her and their three sons.Have you been love bombed? Tell us your story at lovebombed@bbc.co.uk.Writer/Producer: Jon Douglas.
Technical producer: Ollie Peart.
Online Producer: Rachael Smith.
Executive Producer: Kathryn Morrison.
13/02/23•15m 47s
5. The Unravelling
The truth finally catches up with James Scott after postponed marriages and two years of deceit. Those who loved him realise they didn't know him, or his name. He is actually called Greg Wilson and he has been leading a double life.Have you been love bombed? Tell us your story at lovebombed@bbc.co.uk.Writer/Producer: Jon Douglas.
Technical producer: Ollie Peart.
Online Producer: Rachael Smith.
Executive Producer: Kathryn Morrison.
13/02/23•11m 42s
4. An All New Low
James earns his brother-in-law-to-be's loyalty and turns his attention to "helping" the family of a disabled child. On radio adverts promoting his newest business venture, James promises a cash donation to a kids charity. He also approaches the mother of a disabled child offering a fundraising drive to help improve her life.Have you been love bombed? Tell us your story at lovebombed@bbc.co.uk.Writer/Producer: Jon Douglas.
Technical producer: Ollie Peart.
Online Producer: Rachael Smith.
Executive Producer: Kathryn Morrison.
13/02/23•14m 40s
3. A New Business
James involves Coleen and her sister Karen in his exciting new plans for a restaurant and wine bar in Newcastle upon Tyne. He soon has businesspeople from across Tyneside also working on the ambitious project, but all is not what it seems. On top of that, he has to find a plausible way out of his proposed wedding.Have you been love bombed? Tell us your story at lovebombed@bbc.co.uk.Writer/Producer: Jon Douglas.
Technical producer: Ollie Peart.
Online Producer: Rachael Smith.
Executive Producer: Kathryn Morrison.
13/02/23•15m 37s
2. A Miracle Baby
Coleen does not want any more children so James tells her that he is having a vasectomy. After the procedure, he appears bandaged and in discomfort. When Coleen finds out she's pregnant by James, he calls it a miracle.Have you been love bombed? Tell us your story at lovebombed@bbc.co.uk.Writer/Producer: Jon Douglas.
Technical producer: Ollie Peart.
Online Producer: Rachael Smith.
Executive Producer: Kathryn Morrison.
13/02/23•11m 38s
1. Firefighting
Coleen meets James Scott online and is ‘love bombed’ into a relationship. His fake firefighter job provides the perfect cover for what he's really up to at night.Have you been love bombed? Tell us your story at lovebombed@bbc.co.uk.Writer/Producer: Jon Douglas.
Technical producer: Ollie Peart.
Online Producer: Rachael Smith.
Executive Producer: Kathryn Morrison.
13/02/23•13m 37s
Introducing Series 1: Who is James Scott?
The incredible double life of a serial cheater and how his true identity was finally revealed.Have you been love bombed? Tell us your story at lovebombed@bbc.co.uk.Writer/Producer: Jon Douglas.
Technical producer: Ollie Peart.
Online Producer: Rachael Smith.
Executive Producer: Kathryn Morrison.
08/02/23•1m 36s