One of the victims of Ben Millin, a master manipulator from the South West, has shared her distressing experience with the man who defrauded and deceived multiple women, including taking “every penny [she] had”. Millin consistently lied and exploited the trust of those around him.
Millin was subsequently jailed in 2025 for 34 months following a complex investigation that exposed his web of falsehoods. Among his fabrications were a fictitious sister who supposedly died of cancer, a hereditary heart condition requiring a pacemaker, and ultimately, staging his own death.
Originally from Yeovil, Millin was released from prison in December 2025 after serving just five months of his sentence.
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Fiona Mulkerrins-Dixon, who grew up near Exeter, recounted how she met Millin in 2021 during a work event at her marketing firm, shortly after experiencing a series of difficult relationships. Fiona described Millin’s dry humour and popularity among colleagues, having heard he was a top performer at work.
During their first encounter, Millin confided in Fiona about a decade-long relationship with a woman named Harriet, to whom he had planned to propose. When Millin missed the last train home, Fiona generously offered him a place to stay alongside a friend she was hosting.
The following morning, Millin revealed his girlfriend had admitted to an affair, leaving him devastated. Fiona comforted him as they spent more time together, and the pair grew closer. He shared stories about his childhood, including the loss of his father, which deeply moved Fiona.
Their relationship began to blossom, culminating in a romantic date where Millin cooked for Fiona. He disclosed that he suffered from a hereditary heart condition and would require a pacemaker in the future.
However, doubts arose when a friend recognised Millin from a dating app, having been in contact with him. This revelation shocked Fiona, who confronted Millin about the dating profile. He vehemently denied it, claiming he was a victim of identity theft and planned to report this to the police.
Millin’s deception continued as he fabricated further stories, including the tragic death of a younger sister named Isabelle from skin cancer, eliciting Fiona’s sympathy. He professed feelings for her, which she reciprocated.
Financial troubles began when Millin lost his bank cards and his account was frozen. Fiona started lending him money to cover bills and expenses, believing the situation would resolve quickly once his identity issues were addressed. However, delays mounted, and Millin accrued debts of around £5,500 to Fiona, on top of rent and utility costs after moving into the flat she shared with her friend Rikki.
Meanwhile, Avon and Somerset Police investigated Millin’s finances. Detective Constable Claire Morgan described him as “one of the most complex characters” encountered, calling him a chameleon who adapts his stories to emotionally manipulate victims into giving financial support. DC Morgan explained that Millin used the money to fuel a gambling addiction.
After the death of Fiona’s dog, Reggie, under circumstances Millin claimed involved a mysterious ‘metallic bang’ and ‘episode’, Fiona grew increasingly determined to recover the money she had lent him. Millin promised to repay in instalments, claiming daily transfer limits, which initially gave Fiona hope.
The situation escalated when Millin contacted Fiona from police custody. He alleged involvement in a family altercation resulting in arrest, which was untrue. A planned trip to London with Millin turned into a worrying absence after his ‘job interview’ in Bristol, leaving Fiona fearing he had died. She reached out to hospitals, filed a missing persons report, and contacted people connected to him.
It was only when a friend sent a DevonLive article revealing Millin’s two-year jail sentence for fraud by false representation against a former partner that Fiona discovered the truth.
The ‘job interview’ had been a court appearance. Millin had defrauded a previous partner of £20,000, leaving her homeless and living in her car. The reality shattered Fiona. She realised she did not know the man she had trusted and loved.
Further contact with Millin’s family exposed the extent of his fabrications: his ‘adopted’ father was his biological parent; he did not have the heart condition he claimed; the violent incident with his brother never happened; and Harriet, the supposed ex-girlfriend, did not exist. Even his younger sister Isabelle, whose tragic death he mourned, was a complete invention.
In August 2025, Millin was sentenced to 34 months in prison, received restraining orders preventing contact with his four victims, and was subjected to a five-year serious crime prevention order. He had taken around £40,000 from three other women, including Fiona.
Fiona described the moment she saw Millin in the courtroom’s glass dock as one of sad conviction and satisfaction.
He pleaded guilty to four counts of fraud by false representation.
In her victim impact statement, Fiona characterised Millin as a predator exploiting vulnerable women’s insecurities and empathy for financial gain, describing him as a danger to society, particularly women.
She further recounted his false claims of a hereditary heart condition and regular medical appointments, which were in fact court appearances for prior convictions. Millin’s deception had invaded every aspect of her life.
DC Morgan noted that victims are still without their money and continue to question Millin’s motives and actions.
Channel 4’s Love Cheats series explores true accounts of romance fraud, revealing how con artists manipulate partners out of substantial sums and the efforts made to bring them to justice.
The next episode airs on Sunday, 6 September at 10pm on Channel 4, featuring the story of a woman deceived by an art dealer at a luxury resort and the setup of a high-stakes entrapment. All episodes are also available to stream via Channel 4+.