Tracy Hall believed she had found true love, only to discover she was the victim of a scam that claimed her life savings. In a compelling episode of Motive & Method, Dr Xanthé Mallett and criminal psychologist Dr Tim Watson-Munro explore Hall’s devastating experience with Hamish McLaren, one of Australia’s most infamous fraudsters. Over years, McLaren, pretending to be a successful investment banker, manipulated many individuals, highlighting the risks of misplaced trust.
Hall met ‘Max Tavita’ on a dating app, and after 18 months of building a deep emotional connection, she was blindsided by his deceit. Reflecting on her experience, she described it as a profound loss, akin to mourning a fabricated relationship. McLaren was ultimately sentenced to 16 years in prison, later reduced to 12, with a chance of parole in 2026.
Concerned about the possibility of him reoffending, Hall grappled with the enormity of the betrayal, realising the extent of McLaren’s deceit—estimated to involve $80 to $100 million in theft globally. Hall expressed the emotional turmoil of accepting she might never recover her lost money while dealing with McLaren’s continued manipulation, even from behind bars. To hear her full story, tune in to the latest episode of Motive & Method.