Victim of online romance scam faces court as perpetrator enters pre-sentence detention
Stephen James Cross, 41, pleaded guilty to deceiving four women in Gippsland and was remanded to pre-sentence detention, with sentencing set for October.
In Gippsland, Victoria, 41-year-old Stephen James Cross admitted to multiple deception offences after manipulating four women he met on dating apps. Assuming the name "Jimmy Smith," he claimed to be a landscaper, fabricated injuries, and pretended to own expensive homes, even taking a family to an open house to bolster his false wealth. He secured $45,000 from one victim by claiming a hospital stay, and obtained additional sums from others through invented emergencies.
Victims described lasting distress, recalling watching a documentary on similar scams while with Cross. The Latrobe Valley Magistrates' Court recorded his guilty pleas, placed him in pre-sentence detention, and scheduled sentencing for October. His counsel, John Brancarto, confirmed acceptance of the custody order.
Why it matters
The case highlights how online dating platforms can be exploited for financial fraud, affecting vulnerable individuals.
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