Alert: Ray(mond) McDonald
Ray McDonald, image from BBC.
Having read Melanie Graham’s book Chosen (see review), it was obvious that the Ray McDonald has not only managed to blag his way into freedom - again - but has hassled her further, as groomers are wont to do.
Despite orders to the contrary, he is using Mel’s address, an address that is now in the public domain. He contacts her. All of this has put a ‘wanted’ sticker on his head, and we’d like to see him back in prison where he is less of a danger to women’s wealth and health.
Mel’s calm and stoic, but she should not have to be going through this. It’s like a non-stop nightmare.
The police are now looking for him to charge him, yet again. They have asked that anyone knowing his whereabouts dial 999 with the information so that they can aprehend him AGAIN and bring him to justice.
Known aliases include first names Ray, Raymond and Mark, and he uses surnames McDonald, Owens and Bailes. He has been convicted under various names, found guilty around 48 times, and jailed at six times for fraud related crimes. He has been operating for more than two decades. But he’s now out and behaving as if the rules don’t apply to him.
(For the full story of Ray’s damaging love frauds, Mel’s book comes highly recommended.)
However, if you just need a quick low down on this love fraud ‘professional’, any of these media articles will give you a snapshot of what this man’s been up to, and why he should be back behind bars before he does any more emotional damage or finds anyone else to rip off:
County Durham fraudster who faked Dubai marriage jailed, The Northern Echo, 5 September, 2024
Serial Romance Fraudster Jailed, Northumbria Police, 5 September, 2024
Dating fraudster could have scammed 'hundreds' more women, BBC, 13 November 2024
Romance fraudster in jail sentence appeal bid, BBC News 25 November 2024
BBC catfishes romance scammer who was back on dating app days after jail release, BBC 13 Feb, 2026
How do you rebuild your life after marrying a conman? BBC Wear, April 13, 2026
Or you can watch:
Scams and Scandals: Are We Dating the Same Fraudster? BBC iplayer (The serial romance fraudster was released from prison at the end of 2023 and immediately rejoined dating apps meeting three new women. Will he face justice for his crimes?)
This Morning, extract on Instagram (notable for shameless victim blaming!)
Or Listen:

