One victim has bravely shared her harrowing experience with Ben Millin, a master manipulator who deceived multiple women and drained them financially. Millin, originally from Yeovil, was sentenced in 2025 to 34 months in prison following a complex investigation that revealed the breadth of his lies and manipulations. His fabrications included a fictitious sister who died of cancer, a supposedly serious heart condition necessitating a pacemaker, and even staging his own death.
Having served five months, Millin was released in December 2025. One of his victims, Fiona Mulkerrins-Dixon from just outside Exeter, recounted how she met Millin at a work event in 2021, during a period when she was recovering from a series of difficult relationships. She described his dry humour and popularity among colleagues, having heard he was a top performer.
Millin shared with Fiona that he had been in a decade-long relationship with a woman named Harriet, whom he planned to propose to. After learning of her affair, he confided in Fiona, leading to a close bond and the start of their relationship. He further claimed to have a hereditary heart condition requiring a pacemaker.
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However, doubts arose when a friend recognised Millin from dating app interactions, contradicting his claims of just ending a long-term relationship. When confronted, Millin denied the accusations, alleging identity theft.
Fiona described how Millin’s stories deepened, including tears over the death of his supposed sister Isabelle. She felt sympathy and believed she was connecting with an honest person. Financial difficulties soon followed, with Millin requesting and receiving small loans from Fiona, which eventually totalled £5,500 alongside rent and bills, purportedly due to frozen accounts.
Detective Constable Claire Morgan of Avon and Somerset Police characterised Millin as a chameleon who tailored his stories to exploit the vulnerabilities of his victims and sought financial gains, which he used to fund a gambling habit.
Following the distressing death of Fiona’s dog, Reggie, and mounting financial pressures, Fiona pressed Millin to repay her. Though he made some repayments and promised daily transfers, the reality was far from resolved.
The situation escalated when Millin was arrested and Fiona learned he had been jailed for fraud by false representation, targeting his former partner to the tune of £20,000, leaving her homeless. This revelation shattered Fiona’s perceptions and exposed extensive deceit, including fabricated family members and health issues.
In August 2025, Millin was sentenced to 34 months in prison with restraining orders barring contact with his four victims and a five-year serious crime prevention order. He had defrauded Fiona and others of approximately £40,000.
In her victim impact statement, Fiona described Millin as a dangerous predator who exploits vulnerable women. She noted that his claim of a heart condition was a cover for court appearances related to prior convictions.
Detective Morgan highlighted that the victims have yet to recover their money and continue to grapple with the aftermath.
The Channel 4 series Love Cheats tells the real stories of romance fraudsters and the efforts taken to bring them to justice. The next episode airs on Sunday, September 6 at 10pm on Channel 4, with all episodes available for streaming on Channel 4+.