CONMAN CASANOVA

Convicted fraudster trawling dating sites for unsuspecting victims he can chéat out of their cash

- CLAIRE GALLOWAY AND JANE HAMILTON

A CONVICTED fraudster is trawling online dating sites looking for unsuspecting victims he can con out of cash.

Michael Higgins uses Tinder and Bumble looking for love, claiming to be a high-rolling businessman with multiple high-end properties and luxury cars.

But the Record can reveal he was convicted for conning people into buying cheap electronic goods – then swiping the cash and failing to deliver the items.

Police are now probing fresh claims he is doing the same to women he meets on dating sites.

Unsuspecting Fleur Brand told how she fell for the 39-yearold after seeing his profile on Bumble.

But she was left fuming after handing over cash for electronic goods that never showed up - and had to demand her money back.

The Record has also spoken to a victim from his previous conviction, who warned people to steer clear of him on dating sites due to his scams.

Fleur, 32, met Higgins after seeing his Bumble profile in October 2020, believing she had finally met a “lovely guy” who lured her in with “generous” treats and the appearance of a lavish lifestyle.

But weeks into their relationship, Higgins convinced Fleur, from Edinburgh, to send him hundreds of pounds for an iPad from the electronics company he claimed to work for.

Fleur never received the tech and spent almost a year fighting to get her money back.

After taking to social media to name and shame Higgins, Fleur was sent dozens of messages from other people targeted by the conman, many reporting he is continuing his deceit on Tinder.

Fleur told the Daily Record: “This man will say everything you want to hear. He told me he was looking for a relationship and told me he had a bad past experience with an ex he called a 'psycho.