Jak Reid, a 39-year-old businesswoman, turned to Tinder following the end of a long-term relationship. As her 30th birthday approached, she sought companionship and matched with Christopher Harkins in 2015. On their first date at a comedy club, everything seemed promising. Jak felt an instant attraction and noted how much they had in common.

Harkins appeared charming, friendly, and fun, appearing genuinely interested in her. Afterward, he brought her to a casino where he gambled large sums, won, and generously shared his winnings. He arranged a taxi home for her, and Jak was left impressed and at ease. None of the behaviors on that night raised alarms—she recalls thinking only that he seemed “blasé with money,” which some people are.

As their relationship continued, the first major warning sign emerged during a subsequent date. Jak, seeing an opportunity to be thoughtful, quietly paid the restaurant bill while Harkins excused himself to the restroom. When he returned and discovered what she had done, he reacted aggressively—storming out after dragging at her arm, insisting she had embarrassed him, and demanding they leave. She was shocked and mortified, but his apology later convinced her to remain involved. She later reflected on how she’d never experienced such unprovoked aggression from any man before.

Matters escalated when, one Sunday afternoon, while at work, Jak received a message from Harkins requesting a money transfer to a stranger’s bank account. He claimed his own account was frozen and that this payment was urgent for a friend’s romantic weekend. Jak’s instincts immediately alerted her that something was off, and she recognized the reach of the ploy as a scam.

She confronted him, blocked his contact, and soon began receiving abusive texts from unfamiliar numbers, including threats toward her and her family. She was frightened and shaken. After a while, the messages ceased, and a couple of years passed without contact—until a random text popped up claiming she was back in his contacts. She dismissed it, convinced by his erratic behavior.

In 2019, Jak discovered a Facebook post tagging her in an article about another woman who had fallen victim to Harkins in a similar way. That woman—Shannon, a managing director in recruitment—had also matched with Harkins on Tinder after emerging from a broken relationship. He told her stories of being a railway engineer by day and a foreign exchange trader otherwise, boasting of affluence.

He offered a trip to Mykonos, stating they would split costs—Shannon transferred £3,247, but heard nothing thereafter. Her inquiries revealed there was no hotel reservation under his or her name. When she confronted him, he made a claim of violent criminal history—breaking a policeman’s jaw—as a means to intimidate her. She turned to police, but they viewed the case as civil rather than criminal because they had a relationship, and took no action.

Frustrated, Shannon approached journalist Catriona Stewart, whose published story forced Harkins to return her money. That exposé then triggered others to come forward with their experiences, including allegations of sexual assault, rape, and financial deception. Eventually, the police began to act; by early 2020, he was arrested after 13 women testified against him.

During his bail period, Harkins moved to London and continued his pattern—targeting and defrauding three more women. One of those women, Kat, described him as acting as though he believed the law couldn’t reach him. Ultimately, the Metropolitan Police took up a case when a woman reported being defrauded. In January 2023, Harkins pleaded guilty to five counts of fraud and received a 15-month custodial sentence. This conviction delayed proceedings in Scotland, where he was due to face trial the day he was to be released.

In Scotland, he was found guilty of defrauding nine women of more than £214,000, in addition to one count of rape, four sexual offenses, three counts of assault and physical abuse, and illegally recording an intimate video without consent—all committed between 2013 and 2020 against fourteen women across Scotland and England. He received a 12-year prison sentence in July 2024.

Jak, profoundly affected by these events, found it difficult to trust men again. She admitted she no longer trusts another man fully and suspects she never will; her experience has left her wary of dating and using hookup apps. Although she has met men since, she acknowledged that whenever she perceives a red flag, she withdraws immediately. She suspects the ordeal has left her with long-term commitment issues.

Yet she refuses to remain silent. With a successful career and a niece who looks up to her, she feels a responsibility to speak out. She chooses to share her story openly, hoping to support others and serve as a warning that anyone can fall prey to such predators. She actively uses her social media platforms—TikTok and Instagram—to help raise awareness and empower others.

Her story is featured in the Prime Video documentary Catching The Tinder Predator, which weaves together the testimonies of five women who encountered Harkins through Tinder and were deceived, abused, or defrauded. The film goes beyond telling isolated stories; it reveals the calculated tactics Harkins used to gain trust, manipulate emotions, and extract money. It also highlights the systemic failures—initial police indifference, the emotional aftermath, and the resilience of survivors who came together.

The documentary premiered on Prime Video on September 7, 2025, offering viewers both a chilling look at Harkins’ crimes and a tribute to the courage of those who chose to speak out. Through their voices, the film underscores a message of solidarity, survival, and the importance of paying attention to warning signs in relationships initiated online.