Woman allegedly conned out of thousands

Police are searching for a man who's allegedly tricked a woman out of thousands of pounds after meeting her through a dating agency.

The man told her his name was Ben Williams from Bristol who was born on January 3rd 1959.

The woman from Milton Keynes lent the man £2,500 and also paid out thousands trying to access money she was told he had left her after he 'died'.

Here are the details from Police:

Thames Valley Police is appealing for the public's help in tracing a man they would like to speak to in connection with an alleged fraud.

In June 2009, a woman from the Milton Keynes area made contact via a dating agency with a man who said his name was Ben Williams, born 3 January 1959, with a home address in Bristol.

For several months, the woman communicated with Williams by email, until he invited her to visit him in Bristol. She travelled there by train and was met by the man, who took her to a five-bedroom house with a pool, at an unknown location somewhere in the Bristol area. The woman met him at the same location on one other occasion.

Williams apparently travelled frequently for business reasons. He claimed that while abroad on business, he was experiencing problems with his bank card and asked to borrow £2,500. The woman transferred the money to him.

A few weeks later, she received a message from his 'business partner' that Williams had died in Spain while on a business trip. She was then told that Williams had left her US$3,500,000, and received instructions on how to access this money.

The woman paid out several thousand pounds as instructed, but has not yet received any money. She became suspicious and reported the incident to police in December 2010.

PC Angi Harrell, investigating officer, said: "The man calling himself Ben Williams also has a Facebook page, where he gives his date of birth as 1 February 1961.

"We are appealing to anyone who recognises the man in the photograph, or who has any information as to his current whereabouts, to come forward and assist with our investigation."

Anyone with information is asked to contact PC Harrell on 0845 8 505 505. If you don't want to speak to police or give your name, please call the Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111.