Janet Fordham, a 69-year-old British widow, tragically died in a car crash in Ghana on February 14, 2023, after being defrauded of her entire £1 million life savings by romance scammers over a five-year period.

Initial Scam and Financial Ruin

Mrs. Fordham initially fell victim to a con artist posing as a British Army sergeant stationed in Syria in 2017, sending him approximately £150,000. After exhausting her funds, she moved into a caravan in Honiton, Devon, with her son and daughter-in-law, having sold her property.

Escalating Fraud and Attempts at Recovery

Despite warnings from her family and law enforcement, Mrs. Fordham continued to fall prey to subsequent scams. These included a fraudster claiming to be a ‘diplomat’ and another involving a man named Kofi in Ghana, with whom she sought help to recover her lost money.

Travel to Ghana and Fatal Accident

In October 2022, Mrs. Fordham traveled to Ghana to meet Kofi, who promised to assist her in retrieving her funds. They developed a romantic relationship and were traveling to seek family approval for marriage when the fatal car accident occurred. Kofi pleaded guilty to driving offences and received a suspended sentence and a fine.

Investigation and Family’s Grief

Detective Sergeant Ben Smith of Devon and Cornwall Police led the investigation, finding no evidence of third-party involvement in Mrs. Fordham’s death. Her family described a heartbreaking pattern of deception, where she repeatedly sent money through bank transfers, wire transfers, and potentially travel agents, even after being flagged as fraudulent.

Desperate Measures and Lack of Cooperation

Mrs. Fordham borrowed approximately £140,000 from family members and accumulated debt on loans and credit cards. The inquest revealed that she consistently refused to cooperate with investigations, hindering authorities’ ability to assist her. Her daughter-in-law, Melanie Fordham, noted that Mrs. Fordham initially downplayed the financial aspect of her relationship with the initial scammer.

Warning About Romance Fraud

The case highlights the devastating impact of romance fraud and the vulnerability of individuals targeted by these criminals. The initial fraud involved a false promise of a future together and a scheme to transport gold bars, a common tactic used by scammers. The subsequent scams exploited her desperation to recover her initial losses, leading to a tragic outcome.