A CARDIFF man who used fake identities on dating sites to defraud three women of almost £50,000 has been jailed.

Rodney Roberts, aged 40, of Trowbridge, Cardiff, was sentenced at Newport Crown Court to five years and one month in prison after pleading guilty to fraud by false representation.

Officers from the Proactive Economic Crime Team at the Tarian Regional Organised Crime Unit (ROCU), working with South Wales Police, found that Roberts defrauded three victims of a combined £49,580 between 2021 and 2024. He contacted the women through online dating and social media platforms while using the false name “Paul Smith”.

Roberts first contacted a victim in February 2021. He initially claimed to be an American from California working in the UK as an attorney and financier. He later told the victim this was merely a cover story and that he was in fact an intelligence agent. Roberts claimed that because of his work he did not have direct control of his finances and asked the victim for financial help.

During the relationship he persuaded the woman to invest money in a fictitious investment company. He also assisted her in selling her home so she could invest more money into the scheme and encouraged her to open a bank account in her name for him to use. Unknown to the victim, Roberts also opened a cryptocurrency account in her name.

Roberts contacted a second victim in October 2022. Again he encouraged her to invest in what he claimed was a lucrative opportunity promising high returns. He showed her screenshots which appeared to show the investment growing in value, but these images were fabricated. Throughout the relationship Roberts repeatedly gave excuses for why he was unable to repay the money.

He contacted a third victim in March 2024, this time claiming to be an American television producer working for the BBC on a two-year visa. Roberts told the victim he was struggling to access his American bank accounts and asked for money to help him put down a deposit on a flat. As before, he used fake screenshots of accounts to convince her the investment was genuine, before providing excuses as to why the borrowed money could not be returned.

The third victim eventually became suspicious and carried out online searches, which led her to two historic news reports detailing previous fraud offences committed by Roberts under the alias Paul Smith. She then contacted South Wales Police.

Detective Constable Amanda Davies, of Tarian ROCU, said romance fraud was a growing and highly damaging crime.

“Offenders deliberately exploit trust and vulnerability,” she said. “Victims are often left with not only significant financial losses but also psychological distress and embarrassment, which can prevent them from reporting the offence.

“I am pleased with the sentence handed down today and hope it sends a message to others who would behave in such an abhorrent way for financial gain.

“I would also like to recognise the courage shown by the victims in helping us pursue a conviction and bring Roberts to justice.”

DC Davies urged anyone forming relationships online to remain cautious.

“Common warning signs include requests for money, reluctance to meet in person or by video call, or pressure to keep a relationship secret. Another warning sign is ‘love bombing’, where a new or prospective partner overwhelms someone with excessive attention, affection or grand gestures early in the relationship.

“Fraudsters are skilled at creating narratives that sound believable. If something feels too good to be true, trust your instincts and speak to friends or family.

“If you believe you may have been a victim of romance fraud, report it to Action Fraud.”

She added that Tarian ROCU would continue to pursue fraudsters and bring them before the courts.

A CARMARTHEN woman has been given a suspended prison sentence after admitting a string of shop thefts across the town along with assault and criminal damage.

Jessica Mudd, aged 33, of Ross Avenue, Carmarthen, appeared before magistrates facing multiple offences committed during February this year.

The court heard that Mudd carried out a series of thefts from shops in Carmarthen over a period of days.

On February 13, she stole a number of clothing items worth £85.95 from New Look in St Catherine’s Walk. On the same day she also took miscellaneous goods worth £44 from Flying Tiger in the same shopping centre.

Further offences followed later in the month. On February 20 she stole baby items worth £100 from TK Maxx in Merlin’s Walk and nappies worth £28 from B&M on Hall Street.

Two days later, on February 22, she stole cleaning products and a joint of beef valued at £85.42 from the Co-op on King Street.

The offences continued on February 24 when Mudd stole a pair of Lunar Boots worth £65 from Coco Blush in Cambrian Way.

The court also heard that on February 24 she assaulted David Gareth Watson on Mansel Street by beating him. During the same incident she damaged clothing and glasses belonging to Mr Watson.

Magistrates dealt with the offences together.

Mudd was sentenced to a suspended term of imprisonment. The custodial sentence will not take effect unless she commits further offences during the suspension period.

She was also ordered to pay £85 in prosecution costs.

The case was heard at Llanelli Magistrates’ Court.

DYFED-POWYS POLICE has reaffirmed its commitment to protecting rural communities with the launch of a new rural and wildlife crime strategy aimed at increasing patrols and strengthening engagement with local people.

The strategy will see rural crime officers increase their visibility across the force area, while building closer relationships with farming communities, landowners and residents. Officers will also attend more community events and offer additional crime prevention visits.

Covering the largest and most rural police force area in England and Wales, Dyfed-Powys Police’s rural crime team works across vast areas of countryside, coastline and farmland. Their work focuses on tackling offences that affect farms, smallholdings, wildlife and historic sites.

Greater visibility by officers is expected to encourage more people to report incidents and share information, helping police gather intelligence and target patrols where they are needed most.

Inspector Matthew Howells of Dyfed-Powys Police said: “Rural crime can often go unreported. We want to strengthen our presence and expand both Farm Watch and Rural Watch schemes to encourage reporting. This will give us better data to shape our patrols and disrupt criminal activity.

“Our rural crime officers will also promote property marking and security measures to help reduce repeat victimisation and deter offenders.”

During 2025, Dyfed-Powys Police recorded 49 reports of livestock theft, along with 42 reports of quad bike theft and 60 reports of heritage crime.

Heritage crime includes offences that damage or exploit historic sites and assets, such as illegal metal detecting, looting or off-roading on protected land.

The most commonly reported rural offence last year was livestock worrying, with 60 incidents reported across the force area.

Chief Constable Ifan Charles recently met members of the farming community to discuss the new strategy and recent updates to livestock worrying legislation.

He was joined by Police and Crime Commissioner Dafydd Llywelyn and members of the rural crime team at a farm owned by Anwen Hughes, regional vice-president of the Farmers’ Union of Wales. Also present was Rob Taylor, the Rural and Wildlife Crime Co-ordinator for Wales.

During the visit, the group heard about Ms Hughes’ recent loss of three lambs following a livestock attack and discussed the need to raise awareness of changes to livestock worrying laws. They also explored how the new rural and wildlife crime strategy could better support rural communities.

Chief Constable Ifan Charles said: “The impact of these crimes on rural communities cannot be underestimated. For many people, their homes and livelihoods are closely linked.

“This new strategy puts rural communities at its heart. Policing such vast rural areas presents very different challenges to urban policing, and our rural crime teams will continue working closely with local people to understand those challenges and keep communities safe.”

Rural, wildlife and heritage crime can be reported by calling 101 or online via the Dyfed-Powys Police website. In an emergency, always dial 999.