In a shocking revelation, a young footballer Joseph Regan from Cardiff was found guilty of stealing more than £1,500 from unsuspecting women he met on dating apps.
Joseph Regan, an amateur goalkeeper for Cardiff Corinthians FC, manipulated these women to open betting accounts, deviously using their money to fund his gambling addiction.
Who is Cardiff football player Joseph Regan who conned women on dating apps for money to pay off gambling debts
Joseph Regan, 22, went to great lengths to convince his victims to share their card details, promising them they were aiding his betting strategies on Bet365. In reality, the women’s funds were gambled away, feeding Regan’s destructive addiction. The court heard that he stole £1,420 from his first victim, who managed to claim back £350 from her bank, and £210 from his second victim.
How Long Cardiff Corinthians FC GoalKeeper Joseph Regan Will Spend in Jail For Scamming Women For Money That He Met On Dating Apps to Pay Off His Gambling Debts https://t.co/s7mxXXEaM9 pic.twitter.com/OoUvUtdLDx
— Robert Littal BSO (@BSO) July 18, 2023
Joseph Regan’s devious actions came to light when both victims independently reported the theft to the police and Action Fraud, prompting an immediate investigation and subsequent arrest. Despite his initial denial and claims of having the victims’ permission to gamble with their money, Regan eventually pleaded guilty to two counts of theft.
Joseph Regan downward spiral and path to recovery
Regan’s defence barrister, Kevin Seal, stated that his client was undergoing a “difficult patch” due to his gambling addiction, expressing deep shame for his actions. Seal confirmed that Regan is on a journey towards recovery and has been offered employment, as reported by WalesOnline.
The court issued Regan a six-month suspended sentence and ordered him to complete a 20-day rehabilitation activity requirement and 60 hours of unpaid work. Furthermore, Regan was ordered to pay £1,280 in compensation.
Victims speak out against Joseph Regan
One of Joseph Regan’s victims, a teacher, expressed her shock and disappointment, recounting how Regan had pretended to be in love with her. She said, “I thought he must be genuine. I didn’t see how someone could do this to me.”
Another victim, who had a casual relationship with Regan after matching on Hinge, described him as a “manipulative and arrogant person.” She shared that the ordeal had made her fearful of dating apps, emphasizing the potential dangers of online dating.
The impact of Joseph Regan’s actions
These incidents serve as a stark reminder of the dangers lurking in online dating platforms and emphasize the importance of exercising caution while sharing sensitive information. The harm caused by Joseph Regan’s actions extends beyond financial loss, causing significant emotional distress to his victims and affecting their trust in online dating platforms.
ALSO READ: Aparna Appuz video goes viral on Instagram, Twitter and Reddit