A serial con-artist who posed as a child therapist and scammed families out of money for a fake trip to Lapland left people terrified, one of her victims has said. Samantha Cookes used multiple identities - including a nanny, an arts teacher and a surrogate mother - to con families in the UK and Ireland between 2011 and 2024. Over the years she has been convicted of multiple offences and was sentenced to three years in prison earlier in 2025 for social welfare fraud. Now her victims have told a new documentary by the BBC and RTÉ about their ordeal with the serial scammer – including one mother who was so concerned about her nine-year-old's safety that she slept with a hatchet beside her bed. Dublin woman Lynn McDonald told the filmmakers that Cookes, who was born in Gloucestershire, England, had developed a bond of trust with her daughter Ellie after they met in 2016. But that bond unravelled after she and others discovered she was a scam artist. Cookes, now 36, later fled, leaving Lynn worried "she would come back in the middle of the night and take my child". Lynn first met Cookes, who she knew as Lucy Fitzwilliams, in 2016. She was introduced to the scammer by a friend when she was experiencing a difficult time and needed more support. Lynn's younger daughter, Daisy, was born in 2013 withRett syndrome,a rare genetic disorder that affects brain development, resulting in severe mental and physical disability. In her guise as a child therapist, Cookes came twice a week to give Ellie, Lynn's older daughter, one-on-one time. "There was definitely a bond of trust. Ellie was trusting her with her secrets and her worries," Lynn said. "I don't think anybody, when they meet her, knew what's really underneath that skin." Hillery Geelan, another mother from Dublin who was deceived by Cookes, said: "She finds your weak point and your weak point is always going to be your children." She said she was "desperate" for help with her son Rhys, who has autism, and had "nowhere else to turn". Cookes earned the families' trust, seeking donations for a women's refuge and collecting money for the fake Lapland trip. Lynn paid a deposit of £400 to Cookes. However, her behaviour around the trip was starting to raise suspicions. "Each one [of us] had involved other people, and each one of us who had involved other people had to collect the money," Hillery said. "We started Googling how many seats were on airplanes but, by the sounds of it and the amount of people that we were involving, we had personally sold at least five airplanes." In the end, the women discovered there was no Lapland trip and no women's refuge - although they had given Cookes donations of food, clothes and money. When Cookes realised the families knew she was a scammer, she fled. Hillery said the families "lived in fear for a very long time" while Lynn recalled that Cookes had asked her to sign a consent form for the Lapland trip. She did not sign it but the form, which would have allowed Cookes to take Ellie abroad without Lynn, raised her fears that the scammer could have tried to abduct her daughter. "When you discover that Lapland isn't happening... you question: 'Why did she want consent to take my child abroad?'" Lynn said. She said when Cookes fled, it left her afraid as nobody knew where she was. "We had police circling our area, our home was on red alert, I had to have cameras put up around my home," she said. The BBC put all of the allegations to Cookes, but she did not respond. Cookes' story began to unravel further when she appeared on TikTok in 2022 under the name Carrie Jade Williams, giving an account of allegedly living with the degenerative Huntington's disease. She received support and even financial aid, including welfare payments from the Irish state. When one of her posts went viral, some social media sleuths discovered that Carrie Jade was not her real identity and she was faking her illness. Women affected by her scams across the UK and Ireland set up a WhatsApp group called Scammed by Samantha. "We've stopped talking about her and now we talk about ourselves," Hillery said. Bad Nanny will be available on BBC iPlayer from Monday 12 May and the first episode will air on BBC One Northern Ireland on Wednesday 14 May at 22:40 BST.
'I was scared con-artist would abduct my child'
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"Victims Share Ordeals of Con-Artist Posing as Child Therapist"
Bbc News
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TruthLens AI Summary
Samantha Cookes, a serial con-artist who impersonated various roles, including that of a child therapist, has left families in the UK and Ireland in a state of fear and betrayal. Between 2011 and 2024, Cookes exploited her victims by promising a fake trip to Lapland and soliciting donations under the guise of supporting a women's refuge. Her deceptive practices included multiple identities and a calculated approach to gain the trust of families, particularly those with vulnerable children. Lynn McDonald, one of the victims, recounted how Cookes, whom she knew as Lucy Fitzwilliams, developed a bond with her daughter Ellie, leading McDonald to feel comfortable enough to share personal family concerns. However, this trust was shattered when McDonald and other mothers uncovered the truth about Cookes' fraudulent schemes, which included a nonexistent trip to Lapland for which they had paid significant amounts of money. Cookes’ actions left many families feeling unsafe, prompting Lynn to take extreme measures for her family's security, including sleeping with a hatchet beside her bed out of fear that Cookes might attempt to abduct her daughter.
The extent of Cookes' deceit unraveled further when she was discovered to have been living under a false identity while claiming to suffer from Huntington's disease. This revelation came after she gained attention on TikTok, where her fabricated narrative caught the eye of social media users who began to question her authenticity. As the truth emerged, Cookes' victims formed a support group called Scammed by Samantha, transforming their focus from her actions to their own recovery and healing. The BBC and RTÉ are set to air a documentary detailing the experiences of Cookes' victims, shedding light on the emotional and psychological toll of her scams. The documentary, titled Bad Nanny, aims to bring awareness to the manipulative tactics used by Cookes and the impact on the families she targeted. It will be available on BBC iPlayer, with the first episode airing in mid-May, providing a platform for the victims to share their stories and seek justice for the betrayal they endured.
TruthLens AI Analysis
The article presents a harrowing story about a serial con-artist, Samantha Cookes, who exploited vulnerable families under the guise of a child therapist. This narrative raises significant concerns about trust, safety, and the manipulation of emotions in dire situations. The victims' testimonies reveal a deeply unsettling experience that resonates with many parents, potentially striking a chord in a society increasingly worried about child safety and the presence of deceitful individuals.
Public Sentiment and Fear
The report aims to evoke a sense of fear and urgency regarding child safety, particularly in the context of trusting relationships between caregivers and children. By highlighting the emotional turmoil experienced by victims, it taps into parental instincts to protect their children at all costs. This fear is compounded by the fact that Cookes was able to gain trust through her roles, making the betrayal feel even more profound. The documentary format further emphasizes the personal stories, amplifying the emotional weight of the narrative.
Concealment of Broader Issues
While the focus is on Cookes and her actions, the underlying issue of systemic failures in safeguarding children from such predators may be overlooked. By centering the story on individual victim experiences, the article may divert attention from broader societal and institutional shortcomings in child protection and mental health support systems.
Manipulative Elements
There is a level of manipulation present, particularly in how the article frames the narrative to elicit strong emotions. The language used emphasizes vulnerability and fear, which can lead to a sensationalized view of the situation. The victims’ fears of abduction create a heightened sense of danger that might skew public perception, leading to increased anxiety about child safety in general.
Comparison with Other Reports
When compared to other crime and victimization reports, this story stands out due to its focus on emotional manipulation rather than just criminal acts. Many articles tend to emphasize the legal aspects or the criminal justice response, while this piece delves into the psychological impact on families. It suggests a connection to a growing trend in media focusing on personal narratives in crime reporting, which can shape public discourse around safety and trust.
Impact on Society and Economy
The implications of this article can lead to increased public demand for stricter regulations and oversight in childcare and mental health services. This heightened awareness may also prompt legislative changes, affecting how care services are monitored and evaluated. Economically, businesses within the childcare and therapy sectors may experience scrutiny, influencing their operations and potentially leading to a decline in trust from parents.
Target Audience
The article is likely to resonate with parents and caregivers who are particularly concerned about child safety, as well as individuals involved in social services. It aims to reach those who may have experienced similar vulnerabilities or are seeking more information on protecting their children from potential harm.
Market Reactions
While the immediate economic impact on stock markets may be limited, the narrative could influence companies involved in child services, mental health, and safety products. Public sentiment surrounding child safety could lead to increased investment in protective technologies or services, reflecting a societal shift towards prioritizing child welfare.
Geopolitical Relevance
In a broader context, concerns about child safety and exploitation are pertinent globally, especially in discussions about social justice and human rights. This article may contribute to ongoing debates about how societies protect their most vulnerable members, aligning with current discussions on child welfare policies.
AI Influence
It is possible that AI tools were used in crafting the article, particularly in analyzing victim testimonies or structuring the narrative. However, the emotional tone and psychological insights suggest a human touch in the storytelling process, focusing on personal experiences rather than purely factual reporting.
Conclusion on Trustworthiness
The story presents a credible account of victim experiences, yet the emotional manipulation present in the narrative raises questions about its objectivity. While the core facts may be true, the framing and language may influence readers' perceptions more than an objective report would.