A Glastonbury mother has bravely spoken out about how she was conned by a serial fraudster she met on Tinder in the Netflix documentary series Love Rats.

Annemarie Fletcher, a former lawyer and single mother of two, fell for Kris Lyndsay, who posed as a wealthy businessman and grieving widower. He deceived her into handing over thousands of pounds worth of cash and jewellery, pledging to help fund her daughter's schooling. But behind the façade, Lyndsay was hiding a dark past.

Annemarie, now 51, revealed that Lyndsay, who had already been convicted of multiple fraud charges, told elaborate lies about a tragic car accident in which his wife and daughter allegedly died. In reality, his family was alive, and he was using the story to prey on vulnerable women.

Lyndsay, whose real name is Kris Kinson, was exposed as a career conman and was sentenced to four years in prison by Taunton Crown Court in May 2016 after admitting to multiple counts of fraud.

"I viewed Kris as an alpha male and a bit of a rough diamond, and I felt sorry for him," Annemarie said. "But when I saw him walk into court, stripped of his bravado and fine clothes, I thought how pitiful he was. He was just an overweight man carrying a reusable shopping bag."

The scam began when Annemarie confided in Lyndsay that her daughter would have to leave her private school because her ex-partner had stopped paying the fees. He offered to cover the costs if she loaned him money to tide him over until he received funds from a supposed business deal. Convinced by his charm and apparent generosity, Annemarie handed over a £22,000 Cartier watch and an £18,000 diamond ring — all of which she has never seen again.

"I'd been praying for a miracle," she recalled, describing how she wanted to keep her daughter at the school she loved. "It seemed as if Kris was the answer. But I was so wrong."

Lyndsay's lies unravelled when she discovered the house he claimed to be buying had been put back on the market. A quick search revealed his real identity and criminal record. Shaken and humiliated, Annemarie reported him to the police, who used her evidence to secure a conviction.

Reflecting on the impact, Annemarie said, "The thing I find hardest to forgive is the upset he caused my daughter. She felt so happy she was staying at Millfield. Crushing a child's hopes like that — it's just despicable."

Annemarie is now using her experience to raise awareness about the dangers of online dating fraud, hoping her story will prevent others from falling victim. "He exploited my vulnerability and manipulated me in ways I never imagined possible. I don't want anyone else to go through what I did."

Despite the financial and emotional toll, she remains resolute. "You have to keep going. I've lost money, but I refuse to let it ruin my life."

The Love Rats series features multiple stories of betrayal, deception, and heartbreak, highlighting the alarming rise of romance scams in the UK and beyond. Annemarie's story is a stark reminder of how even the most cautious individuals can become targets — and how critical it is to stay vigilant.