Love rat scams $2.6m from 27 women he seduced

He claimed he was an investment banker, a war hero, a doctor or a lawyer to seduce 27 women, but this conman stole a lot more than hearts.

Nine woman who were swindled out of a joint $AU2.64 million by a love rat, whose aliases included a doctor, pilot, professor, lawyer, firefighter, banker and war vet, have broken their silence, revealing how he seemed like the “perfect guy”.

Conman, Derek Alldred, 49, travelled across the US, seducing unsuspecting women and winning their trust — before emptying their bank accounts.

Conman Derek Alldred tricked women into handing over their money. Picture: Oxygen

It’s believed Alldred had around 27 victims under his control by spinning a web of lies.

He pretended to be gainfully employed in impressive jobs, such as the military and emergency services, and claimed his intention was to marry the women.

But while they were falling in love with him, he was busy stealing their social security details.

Dorie Watkins was one of his victims. Picture: Oxygen

Tracie Cooper-Cunningham will share her story on the show. Picture: Oxygen

In a new program called Seduced by Evil — currently airing on US channel Oxygen — the women have shared their stories for the first time.

“He was the perfect guy … I thought he was the one,” one broken-hearted victim said.

The woman revealed how Alldred would give her red roses, but then stole her money.

One woman called Linda Dyas — who ultimately teamed up with another one of Alldred’s victims to bring him down — said he took $AU456,000 from her by secretly draining her cards.

Linda Dyas teamed up with another victim to uncover his scamming. Picture: Oxygen

She met him on an online dating website in February, 2016.

Using a fake name, Alldred said he was working towards a further degree at university, after having fought in the Afghanistan war.

“I like smart guys, I always have,” she told Fox News. “That really appeal to me.”

“He was super smart, funny, charming. He’s very charismatic, and he has an incredible smile,

“He makes you feel like you’re the only person in the room.”

The many faces, and aliases, of Derek Alldred. Picture: Oxygen

Alldred also pretended he was an Afghan war vet. Picture: Oxygen

Alldred would seduce his victims by making plans to move in together and even get married — but they would soon find out it was all a lie.

Seduced by Evil interviewed Cindi Pardini, who met Alldred on Facebook back in 2012.

He convinced Cindi that he was a high-flying investment banker, hoping to move to California from Hawaii.

But ultimately he stole $355,000 from her. “He took everything from me,” she said.

Cindi Pardini fell in love with Alldred, but paid the price for it. Picture: Oxygen

Alldred convinced women to part with their hard earned money. Picture: Oxygen

He met Wendy Harvey on a dating side and bought her diamond earrings, worth more than $1800, before he stole her money as well.

He told another woman, called Tracy, that he worked for the Royal Bank of Scotland — then staggeringly auctioned off her house for a fraction of the price, behind her back.

Tracy’s sister, Sara, told the show: “Derek was a very nice guy, very caring. He fit in really well with our family … he was always really helpful with everything.

“(He was) almost too good to be true,” Sara said.

One of Derek’s victims, Wendy Harvey, was totally fleeced by him. Picture: Oxygen

Joann Venhuizen was one victim who will share her story on the show. Picture: Oxygen

“My sister was angry, she was hurt, shocked, (and she) couldn’t believe this was really happening,” Sara said.

“It was a crazy time.”

Alldred’s scams would soon start to unravel in the spring of 2016, when he met Missy Brandt, a former flight attendant.

She went through his wallet while he was in the shower and found Linda Dyas’ cards and became suspicious.

She contacted Linda via Facebook to ask her some questions about the man she had fallen for.

Missy Brandt teamed up with Linda to get justice. Picture: Oxygen

Kimberly Nelson told how Derek took everything from her. Picture: Oxygen

Alldred had been living with Linda at the time, so Missy began digging into his past.

She discovered one of her guns was missing, as well as her own cards, and contacted police who then arrested him.

Alldred pleaded guilty to mail fraud and aggravated identity fraud in 2016 and was sentenced to 24 years imprisonment in a Texas jail.

He was also forced to pay more than $360,000 in restitution.

During the trial it emerged he had targeted around 27 women across the US.

“This defendant left a trail of tears, emotional devastation, and financial ruin behind him,” US lawyer Joseph Brown said at Alldred’s sentencing.

This story originally appeared in The Sun, and has been republished here with permission.