London Man Jailed for Laundering £345,000 from Romance Fraud Victims
Latif Kasule, 32, from Uxbridge, London, has been found guilty of seven counts of money laundering at Caernarfon Crown Court. The verdict came on Friday 4 February, with sentencing following a month later on 11 March 2022.
Kasule played a dark role in a high-stakes romance fraud scam, funneling money stolen from two women who were duped by fraudsters posing as loving partners. Between them, the victims lost a staggering £345,000.
Cold-Hearted Fraudsters Exploit Lonely Hearts
Detective Constable Paul Ingram of the City of London Police laid it bare: “Romance fraud is a form of online grooming. Victims suffer devastating financial and emotional impacts and are often too ashamed to speak out.”
“It is people like Kasule who enable these offences to take place, with a complete disregard for the victims.”
Police joined forces with North Wales Police and other agencies to bring Kasule to justice. The sentence sends a clear message—romance fraud is a serious crime and will not be tolerated.
How the Scam Unfolded: Fake Lovers, Real Losses
- One woman was conned out of over £320,000 by a phantom suitor claiming to be “James Fischer,” a telecoms manager living a globe-trotting life.
- “Fischer” sent a sob story about a broken laptop on a business trip and convinced the victim to send three laptops to Kasule’s London address, supposedly to a “colleague.” Kasule then shipped them on to Ghana.
- The victim also wired £2,500 to an account in Kasule’s name, but the bank flagged it and the money was returned.
- Another victim was tricked by “Ethan Bergmann,” who claimed to work on oil rigs worldwide. She sent around £25,000 via two bank accounts controlled by Kasule.
- The fraud continued until “Bergmann’s” fake death from Covid-19 in March 2020, when police were alerted.
Spotting the Signs: How to Protect Loved Ones Online
Romance fraudsters invest months building trust before demanding money. They spin heartbreaking tales to trick victims into sending cash or goods.
- Ensure social media privacy settings are tight to block strangers from personal info.
- Keep in regular contact with friends and family who are dating online—watch for odd behaviour or secretive actions.
- Alert loved ones to typical romance fraud tricks and stress: never send money to someone you’ve never met in person.
- Encourage suspects or victims to report scams to Action Fraud and police—there’s no shame in stepping forward.
Romance fraud ruins lives, but with vigilance and awareness, victims can be prevented. Kasule’s conviction is a win for justice—and a warning to all scammers out there.
