Love Bombed
BBC Local Radio
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About This Podcast
Vicky Pattison investigates romance fraud, exploring extreme cases of love bombing, lies and psychological manipulation. Victims share their stories and experts discuss how we, as a society, can affect change.
Series 4. WifeHunter Uncovering one the UK’s most prolific Lovebombers, Raymond McDonald. Despite a court ban he is still on dating apps and talking to women. One of them is us.
Previously on Love Bombed:
Series 3. Love Bombed Presents...Betrayed Vicky Pattison explores double lives, mental trickery, manipulation and love.
Series 2. Who is Alex? A story of survival after a woman nearly lost her money and sense of self to an online fraudster.
Series 1. Who is James Scott? The incredible double life of a serial cheater and his true identity.
Have you been love bombed? Tell us your story at [email protected].
Credits: Series 4. 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.
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Recent Episodes
S4E6 WifeHunter: 6. Whose Problem is Ray McDonald?
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…
S4E5 WifeHunter: 5. Waiting for answers
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…
S4E4 WifeHunter: 4. A Date with Ray
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…
S4E3 WifeHunter: 3. The Making of a Conman
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…
S4E2 WifeHunter: 2. Morning ‘til Night
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…
S4E1 WifeHunter: 1. Hit by a Train
Vicky Pattison meets Caroline, who lost her home after matching with prolific romance fraudster Raymond McDonald on a dating site.McDonald was posing as Mark Swift, a stressed-out chef with a…
S4E1 WifeHunter: Trailer
Vicky Pattison uncovers one the UK’s most disturbing and prolific Lovebombers, Raymond McDonald.Discover how one man has been able to repeatedly invent new personas online and use them to scam…
S3E6 Love Bombed Presents: Betrayed: Bonus: Celebrity Scammers
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…
S3E5 Love Bombed Presents: Betrayed: 5. Michelle
A passionate love affair, a clash of cultures, was Michelle's relationship really a romance fraud?Have you been love-bombed? Tell us your story at [email protected] bbc.co.uk/actionline for…
S3E4 Love Bombed Presents: Betrayed: 4. Suzanne
A lockdown friendship sent Suzanne and her business into a spin.
S3E3 Love Bombed Presents: Betrayed: 3. Rod
A betrayal by a friend dashes the retirement dream of former aid-worker Rod.
S3E2 Love Bombed Presents: Betrayed: 2. Fionna
An online relationship with someone who seemed familiar threatened Fionna and her family.
S3E1 Love Bombed Presents: Betrayed: 1. Priya
Priya thought he was the love of her life, so why did he want her family heirlooms?
S3E1 Love Bombed Presents: Betrayed: Trailer
Vicky Pattison explores romance fraud, deception and mental manipulation with people who want to speak up to help expose this crime.Plus a bonus episode with author Becky Holmes who turns the tables…
S2E9 Series 2: Who is Alex?: 9. What's Next for Sarah?
Sarah shares why she wanted to tell her story.
S2E8 Series 2: Who is Alex?: 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…
S2E7 Series 2: Who is Alex?: 7. Talking to a Ghost
A former scammer based in Nigeria shares his secrets about the world of West African romance fraud.
S2E6 Series 2: Who is Alex?: 6. Policing Romance Fraud
Follow DI Duncan Wynn from Thames Valley Police and his “high harm unit” as they investigate and support victims.
S2E5 Series 2: Who is Alex?: 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…
S2E4 Series 2: Who is Alex?: 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Love Bombed has published 34 episodes since February 2023, covering topics in Relationships, Society & Culture.
Love Bombed is currently dormant with new episodes weekly. Average episode length is 14m.
Sign up on Grep.FM to access contact details for Love Bombed, including email and social media links.
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