Two Newham Men Jailed Over £674,000 Online Romance Scam Targeting UK and Overseas Victims
International Online Love Scam Exposed
Detectives from the Met’s Specialist Crime Command have cracked down on a ruthless online romance scam that fleeced more than £674,000 from victims across the UK, USA, and Switzerland. The crooks pretended to be a British doctor to con love-struck victims out of cash.
Scammers Sentenced at Southwark Crown Court
James Olagbaiye, 47, and Adesola Adebayo, 38, both from Barking Road, Newham, were jailed after pleading guilty at Southwark Crown Court. Olagbaiye was handed four years and four months, while Adebayo got four years and six months. Their crimes included money laundering, fraud by false representation through dating scams, and conspiracy to commit fraud involving Covid-19 Bounce Back Loans.
How The Scam Unfolded
- A female victim in her 60s from Switzerland lost a staggering £612,000.
- She believed she was in love with a British doctor and biologist living in London.
- The pair sent her a fake British passport featuring an older man’s photo to support their lie.
- The “doctor” claimed he produced ventilators for the NHS and requested money as a ‘loan’ for his Covid-19 efforts.
- Funds were funnelled through UK and US bank accounts controlled by the criminals and their money mules.
- The victim was later told the fake doctor had been arrested abroad and needed more cash – all part of the con.
Met Police Crack The Case
The investigation began after another arrest in August 2020. Police swooped on the two men at their Newham address on 29 October 2020, seizing mobile phones and bank statements. This led to uncovering further victims, including a woman in the USA, a man, and two women from the UK.
Adebayo also tried to scrounge nearly £100,000 in fraudulent Covid-19 Bounce Back Loans using a trusted associate’s address, but failed.
Detective Constable Chris Collins, Met Specialist Crime Unit: “These men spun a web of lies and exploited their victims’ trust in the cruelest way. We urge anyone in an online relationship to think twice before sending money, no matter how convincing the story sounds.”
What Happens Next?
A confiscation investigation will follow to recover assets and return some money to the victims.
If you suspect you’ve fallen victim to fraud or believe someone is trying to steal your pension, contact Action Fraud immediately on 0300 123 2040.
More info at Action Fraud.
