A man has been arrested over a dating scam in which women were targeted by a stranger claiming to be a millionaire from Monaco.

The four victims - all women from north and central London - were contacted on social media between 2021 and 2024 by a man who would offer large sums of money in return for a date or other activities.

Victims were asked to pay for hotels and promised a refund - but when they asked about the repayment they were threatened.

Police today (February 16) arrested a 32-year-old man on suspicion of fraud, non-fatal strangulation, threats to disclose intimate images and obtaining services dishonestly.

He was taken to a west London police station, where he remains at this time.

Detective Superintendent Adam Rowland said: “This arrest is the direct result of information provided by four different women who reported they had fallen victim to a convincing web of lies spun by an online fraudster.

“We know that the effects of being a victim of fraud run far deeper than financial loss, particularly where intimacy is involved and we are supporting the victims.

“Some people affected by scams of an intimate nature may be too embarrassed to come forward, but this is what fraudsters hope for. Please don’t suffer in silence, if you have fallen victim to a scammer do get in touch.”

Anyone with information or who believes they have been a victim should call police on 101 quoting 3817/16Feb.