Michael Higgins, a 42-year-old from Livingston, West Lothian, is facing a potential prison sentence after scamming friends, partners, and acquaintances out of thousands of pounds.
Higgins, who presented himself as a friendly golfing buddy and a charming online date, exploited his victims for cash, which he then used to fund his gambling addiction and high-end lifestyle.
Here’s a breakdown of how he spun his web of deceit across multiple connections and situations.
Scamming Friends Through False Promises
Higgins initially gained the trust of friends at golf clubs like Deer Park and Newbattle by suggesting he could arrange discounted rounds at St Andrews’ prestigious Old Course.
Claiming he could secure tee times for just £145, he convinced 12 friends to transfer large sums to him.
But the rounds of golf never happened, and despite their confrontations, the money remained unreturned.
In another instance, Higgins swindled a friend out of £1,475, claiming it was payment for a golf trip to Spain that never materialized.
Romance Scams on Dating Sites
The conman didn’t limit his schemes to friends; he also targeted women he met on dating apps like Bumble and Tinder.
Two women, Fleur Brand and Katie Black, fell victim to his manipulative tactics.
Higgins convinced Ms. Brand to pay £350 for a discounted Apple iPad, which never arrived.
He also deceived Ms. Black out of a staggering £6,160, with tales of malfunctioning online banking and family emergencies, including a fabricated story about his sister needing funds for veterinary bills.
By the end, Ms. Black had exhausted her savings due to his constant requests.
Preying on an Elderly Woman
Among the most distressing of Higgins’ scams involved an elderly woman who worked in a loan company.
He fabricated stories of needing urgent medical treatment, pleading for financial support under the guise of covering food, travel, and clothing expenses.
Over a two-year span, she transferred him £6,490 through 127 transactions, only to later discover she had been a victim of fraud.
The woman was so shocked upon learning the truth that she became physically ill when giving her statement to police.
Unveiling the Full Scope of the Deception
The fraudulent activity spanned between February 2020 and May 2022, with Higgins amassing £18,225 from 15 victims.
His actions came to light after Ms. Brand publicly shamed him, leading more victims to report him.
A subsequent police investigation revealed that his ill-gotten gains primarily funded gambling expenses and occasional designer purchases.
Facing Edinburgh Sheriff Court, Higgins admitted to the fraud charges.
Although he denied a separate 12 fraud charges and a count of failing to appear in court, these were dropped by the Crown.
What Lies Ahead for Higgins?
Sheriff Matthew Auchincloss, presiding over the case, hinted at a grim outcome for Higgins, warning that the severity of the charges made a custodial sentence likely.
Despite being granted bail, Higgins is set to return to court for sentencing next month, where he may face jail time for his years of deceit.
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