David Griffiths has been sentenced to three years and six months in prison for defrauding women out of thousands of pounds by posing as a fake Army major on dating apps. Griffiths used these platforms to build relationships with women, ultimately manipulating them for financial gain.
Victims Joanne and Helen, who spoke out about their experiences, expressed dissatisfaction with the police handling of their cases. Joanne reported poor communication and a feeling that her case was not taken seriously due to its classification as romance fraud. Gwent Police stated that Griffiths provided voluntary interviews on December 18, 2024, and January 6, 2025, following Joanne's initial account on July 9, 2023. The force acknowledged a lapse in communication with one victim during the investigation and issued a written apology, emphasizing their thorough investigation of all fraud reports, including romance fraud.
Helen described the hours of questioning after Griffiths' deceptions were revealed as an ordeal. She also took on the responsibility of facilitating information transfer between different police forces. Avon and Somerset Police, which initially handled Helen's case before it was transferred to Gwent Police, apologized for any additional frustration and distress caused by the lengthy investigation.
Both women rejected the notion that they should feel shame for being deceived. Joanne stated, "He is the perpetrator... he infiltrated my life and my family and my finances. He should be the one that should feel the shame, not me."
Griffiths' scams involved fabricating a persona, including posing as a military figure, to gain trust and exploit his victims financially. The victims highlighted the emotional and financial toll such deceptions can have, while also asserting their refusal to be shamed for the actions of their abuser.