A former Canberra childcare worker who defrauded 10 men of more than $300,000 in a catfish dating scam has been sentenced to two and a half years in jail.
Crystal Lee Lancaster, 26, used a fake online dating profile and Instagram account to woo men online and manipulate them into sending her money for what she said were medical and legal issues.
Some of Lancaster's victims sent her money for up to seven years, believing they were in a relationship with a woman who sometimes called herself Amelia Luka.
"[Lancaster] played with both the heartstrings and the purse strings of people," the prosecution told the court.
The prosecutor said the victims also suffered psychologically, spending months and years "believing something which wasn't real".
In sentencing remarks, Justice Michael Elkaim said Lancaster used the dating site PlentyOfFish to manipulate the men.
"They were effectively hooked, used and then discarded," he said.
The court heard Lancaster then spent the victims' money recklessly and excessively on fast food, jewellery and cosmetics.
"Whilst she might not have bought a Maserati or gone to the Maldives … she lived in excess," the prosecutor said.
Justice Michael Elkaim acknowledged Lancaster had ADHD and depression, but said "no real reason for the offending has been provided".
He noted Lancaster had expressed remorse and a willingness to repay the victims.
She has been ordered to repay the money.
Lancaster will be eligible for parole on March 11.
