Gambling addict pretended to be man's boyfriend to fleece him out of £177,000
The Mirror
A gambling addict deceived a man into a fake relationship, draining £177,000 before being jailed.Summary
Joshua Teale, a 30‑year‑old gambling addict, convinced a Leeds factory worker that he was in a relationship and needed money for fictitious expenses. Over three years he extracted £177,000 by claiming his mother had died, he needed a private nurse after Covid, and later that he was a boyfriend. He spent the money on gambling sites. The victim, who had to take loans and live on minimal wages, reported the fraud to the bank in May 2023, leading to Teale’s arrest. He admitted guilt only on the day of his trial, was convicted of fraud, and sentenced to five years and three months in prison.
(Source：The Mirror)