British Woman Dies After Romance Scam

Daniel ‘Kofi’ Agyapong, a Ghanaian man, has denied any responsibility for the death of Janet Fordham, a British woman who was defrauded of her life savings. He asserts their relationship was sincere and her death resulted from a tragic accident.

The Victim and the Scam

Janet Fordham, a 69-year-old retired housekeeper from Devon, was the victim of a complex romance scam. She was initially targeted by fraudsters posing as a British Army major, who exploited her vulnerability following the loss of her second husband. The scam resulted in her losing approximately £1 million.

Journey to Ghana and Engagement

Following the scam, Janet was persuaded to travel to Ghana after connecting with Daniel Agyapong on Facebook. Agyapong claimed he could help her recover the stolen funds. The pair became engaged after Janet arrived in Ghana in October 2022.

Agyapong's Account of Events

Agyapong described Janet as “lonely and miserable” in the UK and stated she found happiness in Ghana. He claims they had even obtained a wedding license. He recounted the events of February 14, 2023, when their car crashed while en route to meet his relatives, resulting in Janet’s fatal head injury.

Family Suspicions and Agyapong's Rejection

Janet’s family believes her death was not accidental and that she was murdered after the scammers realized she had no money remaining. Agyapong vehemently rejects these accusations, maintaining the crash was unintentional and that he takes full responsibility for the incident.

Details of the Accident

Agyapong stated that Janet was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash and that he held her until emergency services arrived. He expressed deep sorrow and a desire to visit her grave in England, despite sustaining injuries himself.

Investigation Reveals International Scam

The inquest revealed Janet was targeted by scammers operating across multiple countries, including the UK, Germany, Ghana, and the United States. Agyapong highlighted the lack of insurance coverage for the accident, resulting in unpaid medical bills.

Despite the tragic circumstances, Agyapong insists their love was genuine and that Janet was content in Ghana, where they had planned to build a life together.