'It was like a death': The woman who dated an international con artist

Tracy Hall thought she had fallen head over heels with the love of her life. But instead, she'd fallen for a scam which would cost her entire life savings.

In the latest episode of Motive & Method, Dr Xanthé Mallett and criminal psychologist Dr Tim Watson-Munro delve into the harrowing story of Tracy Hall, whose life was turned upside down by notorious Australian conman Hamish McLaren. 

McLaren, dubbed one of Australia's most notorious fraudsters, manipulated multiple people over decades, securing his place as a master of deceit.

From posing as a wealthy investment banker to claiming connections in high society, McLaren's story is a cautionary tale about the dangers of placing trust in the wrong person.

Listen to the latest episode of Motive & Method wherever you get your podcasts, or press play below.

For Hall, who met 'Max Tavita' on a dating app eighteen months prior to his arrest, the deceit wasn't just a newspaper headline — it was a deeply personal and devastating betrayal.

"It took me nearly 18 months to fall in love with this man, and I had to fall out of love with  him in 24 hours," she said.

"It was like a death. I was grieving a fake human and a fake relationship. I trusted him." 

McLaren was sentenced to 16 years, which was reduced on appeal to 12 years, with a non-parole period of nine years.

With the possibility of parole in 2026 looming, Hall said she's fearful about his probability of reoffending.

"This con was deep, detailed," said Mallett.

"How much do they estimate that he has stolen over the course of a significant number of years? Between 80 to 100 million dollars globally. But we know there are people who didn't come forward.

"I did have to get my head around the fact I wasn't going to see that money again. At the same time he's calling me from jail, I think it would be advantageous for both of us. I felt like it was a $317,000 carrot he was dangling in front of my face to get me to go and see him. It was everything, I had nothing."

To hear the full interview, the latest episode of Motive & Method is available now wherever you get your podcasts. To hear weekly episodes, tap Motive & Method or search 'Motive and Method' in your favourite podcast app.