- Opinion by journalist Carla Hildebrandt.
A serial love rat and ex-con using a fake accent and identity is still walking the streets of Perth, 15 months after the Mandurah Mail exposed his multiple alleged acts of theft and deceit.
The first time I reported on, 'Captain Crook', a man posing as a cruise line captain to scam Mandurah and Perth women out of money, was in May 2018.
His real identity as Melbourne-born former forklift operator, Brett Turton, was revealed two weeks later.
A 50-year-old man who had been jailed in Victoria for stealing almost $64,000 from at least 10 women.
The story was almost unbelievable.
Read more on the series:
- Captain Crook: Serial love rat strikes again with new identity
- Hunt for Captain Crook: Policeman urges community to report scams
- Captain Crook continues dodgy endeavours
- 'Watch' out for Captain Crook: Missing items returned to rightful owners
- Hunt for Captain Crook: Policeman urges community to report scams
- Captain Crook: WA Police unable to locate notorious scammer
- OPINION: Can you help to catch Captain Crook?
He would meet women on dating apps or in person. Uses a fake American accent, charm and fantastic tales to get his victims, who believed he loved them, to hand over cash for flights, events and trips that never eventuated.
Even after he had been jailed for the same thing in Victoria.
From what we understand, Turton does not have a legal full-time job. His victims claim he pretended to be a De Beers diamond exploration geologist and a Royal Caribbean International cruise line captain.
Many say he stole jewellery and other valuables from them. Others say he stole their belongings before gifting them to other victims.
The interviews read like a fictional movie script.
The more victims that came out, the more cruel the stories became.
Some say he offered them and their family members high-paying jobs and the chance of having a new, amazing life.
Most of the women were divorcees who thought they had finally met Mr Right.
The chance to start again, with a new, incredible life, they always knew they deserved.
But when he left their lives and homes with slightly more cash, a stomach full of food and no bills to pay - usually without saying goodbye - their lives came crashing down.
Some victims say Turton caused rifts in their family.
Some say their mental health has suffered due to the experience and the deep embarrassment of "falling for his tricks".
I have been included in a support group on Facebook with seven Mandurah and Perth women who say they lost money to Turton.
They talk almost every day, sharing the pain they still feel from their experience and their anger that he has not been charged by WA Police.
I understand there are other priorities for police, but what differentiates from Turton stealing thousands of dollars from a victim, and a theft from a business of the same amount?
As a court reporter, I have seen endless people sentenced for stealing money nowhere near the amount Turton is alleged to have stolen.
And still, he is walking free, without consequence, looking for his next unsuspecting victim.
Whose mother, daughter or friend will it be next?
When will he be charged and face the consequences of his actions?