Louth woman Noeleen Kiernan was one of a number of people who have already become victims of an elaborate fraud. Kiernan sold a 17.1hh chesnut gelding by Vechta for £2,500 to the conman in January but was never paid for her horse.

“He was a homebred horse and the first horse I’ve ever sold,” she said. “I’m heartbroken but I just want to warn people that this guy is out there swindling people.”