Overview
- Kwabena Edusei was sentenced to seven years and 10 months, with Michael Quartey jailed for five years and six months, Fawaz Ali for four years and 10 months, Ebenezer Tackie for four years and six months, and George Melseaux for three years and nine months.
- The court heard that contact typically began on dating sites before moving to WhatsApp, with fraudsters declaring love and inventing emergencies or business needs supported by forged documents to elicit repeated payments.
- Authorities identified 40 confirmed romance-fraud victims and 99 suspected victims, with losses from the romance scams estimated at about £1.8 million and a total of £2.37 million laundered including other frauds.
- Proceeds were funneled through a network of bank accounts to obscure the source of funds, with most transactions in the UK and additional victims reported in Europe, the United States and Australia.
- Victim impact statements described severe emotional and financial harm, and the CPS and Surrey Police urged anyone affected to report to Action Fraud and notify their bank promptly.