DATE WITH DEATH; EXCLUSIVE Ray 'lured to brutal killing by model he met over internet'.

Byline: RYAN PARRY in San Bruno, California 

A DUPE who was lured to Brazil by a model he met on an internet dating site was drugged, tortured and strangled to death with wire for his pounds 90,000 savings.

Besotted Raymond Merrill, 56, gushed to Regina Rachid in emails: "I have more kisses for you than there are stars in the sky."

He thought the couple were so in love they would marry. Instead, it is claimed, Rachid masterminded a plot in which he was lured to Brazil, drugged for six days until he disclosed bank details and killed.

His body was then doused with diesel and torched.

Merrill's sister Marcia Loebick said: "This woman was trawling for fish - and he was the big one. It's so evil, it gives me the chills."

Last night Rachid, in her 40s, and alleged accomplice Evandro Ribeiro were in custody in Brazil suspected of murder.

Divorced carpenter Merrill met Rachid, in her 40s, through an international dating site.

Pictures of her, including one of her topless with her jeans seductively unzipped, adorned his home in San Bruno, California.

He spent pounds 2,600 on an engagement ring, gave her pounds 5,000 to set up a Botox clinic and bought her a pounds 10,000 4x4.

He also made two trips to Brazil in which he was mysteriously defrauded of about pounds 15,000.

Blinded by love, it is claimed, Merrill ignored warning signs.

Rachid greedily complained he should have bought her a pounds 25,000 4x4.

She raged at "stupid Americans". But Merrill merely said: "She's just a passionate Latino."

In March he travelled to Brazil a third time to meet Rachid in Sao Paulo.

Marcia grew worried when he failed to reply to emails telling him their father had died.

Merrill's charred body is thought to have been found in a burnt out car.

Rachid was later held over another robbery. Her arrest led police to Ribeiro who confessed the plot.

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CAPTION(S):

"TEMPTRESS": Rachid wooed Merrill, right, on net