A Plymouth mother has asked her MP and a local councillor for help over her adult son’s plans to travel to Saudi Arabia and an online relationship.
Labour MP for Plymouth Moor View Fred Thomas has contacted police, the Home Office and Adult Social Care after the family raised concerns about the proposed journey.
The man, who has autism and ADHD and has needed support throughout his life, met a woman through online gaming. His mother says he booked a flight after being promised work paying $50,000 a year and accommodation in Saudi Arabia. He was reportedly due to travel via Kuwait.
The flight was cancelled last month, but his mother fears he may still try to make the journey. She says the woman has not verified her identity or agreed to a video call, and believes it could be a romance scam.
She also says her son previously sent money to a woman he met online who claimed to live in Florida. He travelled there with his mother several times hoping to meet and marry her, but the woman never appeared.
The mother said she had been supported by her ward councillor, Shaun Hooper, who has been working with Adult Social Care on her behalf
Councillor Shaun Hooper said he believes online grooming and radicalisation are growing concerns in communities, and urged parents to seek advice if they notice increased secrecy, withdrawal from family life or unusual conversations about travelling abroad. He added that these signs do not necessarily mean something sinister is happening.
He also called for a review of whether current laws and safeguarding arrangements do enough to protect vulnerable people from online grooming and exploitation. Families in this position can feel frightened and isolated, he said, and should be able to raise concerns without feeling dismissed.
The man’s mother is concerned his neurodiversity may not have been fully taken into account. The family’s names have been withheld to protect their privacy.
Photographs © Wayne Perry / Plymouth Post