Romance Fraudster Spared Jail After Conning £9,000 from Online Partner
A man who masterminded a sophisticated romance scam, duping a victim out of over £9,000 through a fabricated online persona, has received a suspended prison sentence. Adam Mowle, 34, created a fake profile on the dating app Tinder, posing as a woman named Jenna Leigh Smith, and embarked on a year-long virtual relationship with his unsuspecting male victim.
The court heard how Mowle, from Harwich, Essex, maintained the elaborate deception through thousands of messages and even by altering his voice during phone calls. He consistently made excuses to avoid meeting in person, fuelling his victim’s belief that he had found his “dream woman.” The pair discussed moving in together and exchanged intimate images, with Mowle using photographs of an unknown woman to further ensnare his target. Fabricated sob stories about “Jenna’s” supposed serious illness, financial woes, and her father’s battle with cancer resonated deeply with the victim, who had personal experience with a father who had cancer.
A Trail of Deception and Financial Ruin
Over a ten-month period, Mowle’s victim was manipulated into making 78 separate payments, totalling £9,165, into Mowle’s bank account, believing he was assisting “Jenna” through her difficult circumstances. Mowle pleaded guilty to acquiring criminal property by fraud, with the offending period spanning from January to December 2019.
Despite warnings that his actions warranted immediate custody, magistrates at Ipswich Magistrates Court opted for a more lenient approach. Mowle was sentenced to a 12-month prison term, suspended for two years. He was also ordered to pay £9,165 in compensation to his victim, along with £500 in prosecution costs and a £187 victim surcharge. Additionally, he must complete 25 days of rehabilitation.
Evidence presented in court suggested that Mowle may have targeted other men online, with bank records indicating further payments made to “Jenna.” However, other potential victims contacted by authorities were too embarrassed to come forward and provide evidence.
The Victim’s Devastating Downfall
The victim’s suspicions were ultimately aroused when “Jenna” boasted about owning horses and two properties. Enquiries within the local horse-riding community revealed no one had ever heard of Jenna. His unease intensified when he noticed “Jenna’s” profile reappear on Tinder. His worst fears were confirmed when his bank informed him that the money he had been sending had been deposited into Adam Mowle’s account.
The revelation of the scam had a catastrophic impact on the victim. In a desperate attempt to recoup his losses, he turned to gambling, resulting in a further £93,000 deficit.
Suffolk County Council confirmed that Mowle, whose Facebook profile features images of him riding and showjumping, had used the proceeds of his fraud to fund his own horse and cover general living expenses.
A Calculated and Cruel Deception
Prosecutor Fred Batsone outlined how Mowle had meticulously convinced his victim he was a woman and that they were in a genuine relationship. “They very quickly entered into a relationship over cyberspace and spoke to each other as boyfriend and girlfriend,” Mr. Batsone stated. “But the defendant thwarted any attempt to meet. There were always different excuses.” The court heard how some payments were substantial, with the largest single transaction amounting to £500.
In a victim impact statement read to the court, the victim described being left in a “spiral of depression” by the fraud. He recounted how early discussions about moving in together now seemed like a calculated ploy to extract money. “I felt genuine sorrow for the problems Jenna told me she was having,” he stated, detailing the fabricated health issues and financial struggles. “I felt confident I could lend her money to assist her in the short term and she would pay me back.”
The financial and emotional toll has been devastating. “The personal impact that the relationship with Jenna and losing nearly ten thousand pounds has had on my life is significant and has destroyed my mental health,” the victim continued. “I felt the need to gamble to try and get something back, this has led to me losing £93,000 to try and recoup the money I paid into Mowle’s bank account, going into a deep state of depression and having to seek help via medication and counselling.” The statement chillingly revealed the depth of his despair, admitting he had “seriously considered taking my own life.” The loss of trust has also shattered his prospects of future relationships.
Mental Health and Remorse
During his interview with probation officers, Mowle claimed he had been “experiencing psychosis” at the time of the fraud and had created the identity of “Jenna” as a result. He stated he had little recollection of the events and was now receiving mental health support.
Defending, Claire Lockwood, described Mowle as being affected by a coercive and controlling relationship, alongside experiencing traumatic incidents. She argued that he had genuinely believed he was Jenna Leigh Smith and had created an alternative identity, describing the situation as “extremely complicated.” Ms. Lockwood asserted that Mowle, who had no prior convictions, now felt genuine remorse and was devastated by the impact of his actions on his victim.
A Serious Offence with a Realistic Prospect of Rehabilitation
Presiding magistrate Sally Westwood acknowledged the “sustained period of time” and the “sophisticated nature with a high degree of planning” involved in the offence, noting the “amount of money involved” as an aggravating factor. While acknowledging the gravity of the crime, the magistrates decided against immediate custody, citing Mowle’s engagement with mental health services as evidence of a “realistic prospect of rehabilitation.”
Graham Crisp, head of Suffolk Trading Standards, expressed hope that the outcome would bring reassurance to the victim and underscored their commitment to combating fraud. Councillor Steve Wiles of Suffolk County Council highlighted the prevalent issue of unreported romance fraud, urging victims to come forward without shame. “If you suspect you have been a victim of fraud, please report this,” he stated. “Do not feel ashamed or embarrassed. You are not alone. We will deal with your case professionally and sensitively.”
