EN

The story of Britain"s most charming con artist: he stole not only money, but also lives

The story of Britains most charming con artist: he stole not only money, but also lives

Robert Hendry Frigaard - a name that has become synonymous with deception and psychological pressure in Great Britain.

This master of manipulation created an entire web of lies, presenting himself as a British intelligence agent and using romantic relationships to control his victims. Frigaard didn't limit himself to simple deception — he skillfully won hearts, created an atmosphere of constant danger and absolute dependence, after which he used the established trust for systematic extortion of money.

According to information from attorney Olga Pushkareva, Frigaard possessed incredible charisma and virtuously identified vulnerable points in the psychology of his victims, predominantly women. He convincingly persuaded them that he was working undercover, carrying out MI-5 assignments or participating in anti-terrorist operations. His arsenal included heart-wrenching stories, constant warnings about "wiretapping," "surveillance," and the need for conspiracy. Some victims spent many years with him, sincerely believing they were contributing to national security.

The most resonant episode is connected with fraud amounting to over 30 thousand pounds sterling. Women sacrificed everything: finances, real estate, personal freedom — just to help the "beloved intelligence agent." One of the victims admitted that for the sake of a relationship with him, she gave up family ties and existed in complete isolation.

Frigaard was detained and received a court sentence, and his story caused such public resonance that in 2022, his biography became the basis for a feature film. His case became a vivid example of the danger of emotional dependence and the sophistication of methods used by modern manipulators.

Currently, specialists in the fields of law and psychology use the Frigaard case as a classic example for training. The public is increasingly discussing the importance of emotional well-being and the ability to identify signs of unhealthy relationships.