Man to stand trial over six-figure romance fraud against dating-site matches in the UK

A 52-year-old man is to stand trial accused of conning six women he met on a dating site out of about £595,791 as part of an elaborate romance fraud, a court has heard. The suspect, Marc Cole-Jones, who also uses the names Marc Cole, Marcus Cole-Jones and Marc Sands, faces 22 counts of fraud by misrepresentation and is alleged to have manipulated multiple partners across the United Kingdom to extract money over a prolonged period.

The women involved in the case live in Cheshire, Shropshire, Warwickshire, Lancashire, Manchester and the West Midlands. Prosecutors allege that some handed over life savings, while others took out bank loans to fund the scam. In one instance, a woman gave £20,000 after being manipulated into believing someone had been to the suspect’s home and murdered his dog, according to prosecutors. In another allegation, he reportedly claimed to be in difficulty with an organised crime gang, while a third woman agreed to buy him a £75,000 canal boat, which he allegedly sold for profit without her knowledge. The case, investigated by Cheshire Police’s economic crime unit, is scheduled to proceed to trial after an adjournment was granted for plea and preparation.

Cole-Jones, of Telford, Shropshire, appeared at Chester Crown Court for a short hearing, where he confirmed his name and address but did not enter pleas to the 22 counts. Prosecutor Denise Fitzpatrick and defence barrister Daffyd Roberts jointly asked for the case to be adjourned to a pre-trial plea and preparations hearing on February 5 next year, at which a trial date is expected to be fixed. He was granted bail with conditions that require him to provide details of his bank accounts and mobile phones, not to contact any of the six complainants, and to report to a police station every week.

An earlier Warrington Magistrates Court hearing had outlined the overarching claim that Cole-Jones “exploited” the women’s trust for financial gain, with Neve Flynn, the prosecutor, describing the alleged conduct as an “abuse of trust over a significant period of time” and noting the large number of victims.

The case has highlighted the ongoing risk posed by romance scams in the United Kingdom, where perpetrators can exploit emotional manipulation and online anonymity to access substantial sums of money from victims who believe they are forming genuine relationships. Authorities have warned that such scams can unfold over months or even years, with suspects using a range of tactics—from emotional appeals and fabricated personal crises to purported business deals—to persuade victims to transfer funds or take out loans. The investigation into Cole-Jones’ alleged activities remains ongoing, and prosecutors stressed that the charges relate to a period spanning several years and multiple victims.

While investigators have not disclosed additional details about the specific lines of inquiry or the precise locations of each transaction, court papers indicate that the financial harm, while centered on the six named complainants, could reflect a broader pattern of manipulation and deceit tied to online dating platforms. The defendant has not yet entered a formal plea, and the timetable set by the court aims to balance the rights of the defense with the public interest in a timely resolution of the case. If convicted on all counts, Cole-Jones could face a substantial custodial sentence, though any penalty would be determined by the court at trial, taking into account all evidence presented by both sides.

The charges arise from an investigation by Cheshire Police’s economic crime unit, which continues to pursue potential links to other incidents and potential victims who may have encountered similar tactics. Law enforcement officials caution that romance fraud remains a persistent challenge for victims across the country, urging anyone who believes they may have been targeted to contact police or seek support services. The court proceedings will proceed on the scheduled date, with both the prosecution and defense preparing for the next stage of the case.