A RETIRED dentist was conned into sending £20k to his African 'girlfriend' - who turned out to be a scammer using pictures of an American porn star.

Lovestruck Simon Frost, 75, thought he had hit the jackpot when Ghanaian beauty 'Eva' said she wanted to marry him.

5 Lovestruck Simon Frost, 75, thought he had hit the jackpot when Ghanaian beauty 'Eva' said she wanted to marry him Credit: SWNS:South West News Service

But the woman in her pictures was US porn star Briana Lee, 28 - whose x-rated pictures had been stolen by a ruthless scammer.

Simon, from Soham, Cambs., said: "I genuinely believed the relationship was real. I don’t understand why anyone would treat me like that. I had good intentions and was looking for a genuine relationship.

"It has put me off trying anything like this ever again.

"I would rather be lonely than go through all of this trauma."

5 But the woman in her pictures was US porn star Briana Lee, 28 Credit: Facebook

The granddad turned to internet dating after his wife of 10 years suddenly left him.

He set up a profile on a website called Real Sex Contacts in February 2017 - where he became smitten with self-proclaimed hospital worker Eva, from Accra, Ghana.

She claimed she needed to stump up cash for court documents that would allow her to access her father's £5million inheritance - which included a stack of gold bars.

Simon parted with £6,000 from his savings, along with £3,000 on credit cards and two advances of £5,000 from loan company Amigo.

5 The granddad turned to internet dating after his wife of 10 years suddenly left him Credit: SWNS:South West News Service

He also coughed up £1,600 for a flight for Eva to join him in Britain - but she never boarded the plane.

His bank account was locked after his Ghanaian transactions were finally flagged as suspicious.

The loans came with a staggering 49 per cent interest rate - meaning Simon has to pay back £595 a month for two years to clear his debts.

Simon added: "I was sold a complete sob story and was completely used.

5 Simon parted with £6,000 from his savings, along with £3,000 on credit cards and two advances of £5,000 from loan company Amigo Credit: Facebook

5 Simon, from Soham, Cambs., said: 'I genuinely believed the relationship was real' Credit: SWNS:South West News Service

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"I believed everything she said. I thought I’d be able to clear my debts and we’d be able to enjoy the money and buy a house together.

"But she clearly had no intention of coming here. I was lonely, and I still am, and I was looking for company.

"Eva seemed genuine. But I was ­obviously an easy target.”

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