In a chilling exposé from the BBC Disclosure podcast Matched with a Predator, the story of Nadia—a sports massage therapist from Glasgow—unfolds as a stark reminder of how a brief encounter can spiral into years of psychological torment. Her 20-minute date with Christopher Harkins, one of Scotland’s most prolific romance fraudsters, became the catalyst for a campaign of abuse that would haunt her for years.

The Date That Changed Everything

In 2018, Nadia matched with Harkins on Tinder. After weeks of chatting, they agreed to meet for dinner. But when she arrived at his flat in Cumbernauld, red flags began to surface immediately. He greeted her in jogging trousers and a vest, claiming he was too tired to go out and suggested they stay in and order takeaway.

Inside, the flat was eerily bare—no furniture, just a TV perched on cardboard boxes. When Nadia declined his offer of vodka and poured herself a Diet Coke, Harkins’ demeanor shifted dramatically. He berated her for spilling the drink, calling her “clumsy” and “a clown.” Feeling unsafe, Nadia decided to leave. But the nightmare was only beginning.

From Rejection to Retaliation

Within hours of leaving, Nadia began receiving a barrage of threatening messages. Harkins accused her of disrespect and warned her: “How dare someone like you have the audacity to leave a date with me?” The threats escalated—he said he would petrol bomb her home, kill her, and attack her father. He hurled insults about her appearance, calling her a “fat cow” and a “catfish.”

This psychological assault shattered Nadia’s self-esteem and reignited past insecurities. She reported the incident to Police Scotland the next day, but was told no action could be taken at the time.

A Pattern Ignored

Nadia’s experience was not isolated. At least 11 women had tried to report Harkins to Police Scotland as far back as 2012. Allegations ranged from fraud and threats to physical and sexual abuse. Yet, authorities treated these complaints as isolated financial disputes and failed to launch a formal investigation until late 2019.

It wasn’t until one victim went public—after being defrauded of £3,000 for a fake holiday—that police began connecting the dots. Harkins was finally convicted in 2024 of 19 offences against 10 women, including rape and financial fraud totaling over £214,000.

Justice Delayed, But Not Denied

Harkins was sentenced to 12 years in prison. However, the charge related to threatening and abusive behavior toward Nadia was dropped as part of a plea deal. Still, Nadia and other victims continue to call for an apology from Police Scotland for the years of inaction.

Now a mother of two, Nadia has begun to rebuild her life. But she remains adamant: “You wouldn’t believe that my life was affected so badly by a 20-minute interaction with this guy.” Her story is a powerful testament to the long-lasting impact of psychological abuse—and a call to reform how authorities respond to early warning signs.

Wayarc Daily Commentary: This isn’t just a story about one predator—it’s about systemic failure. Nadia’s courage in speaking out has illuminated the cracks in how digital-age abuse is handled. As dating apps become more central to modern relationships, the need for robust protections and responsive policing is more urgent than ever.