Uncut Thuggery: UK con couple jailed for romance fraud; duped older, vulnerable people

A Bromley man, Ibrahim Moro, aged 33, and his accomplice, 32-year-old Rebecca Patrick from Croydon, were sentenced by a UK court for orchestrating a romance fraud scheme that involved duping victims into sending substantial sums of money and laundering funds. NCA investigators discovered that Moro and Patrick targeted vulnerable individuals, particularly older victims, on online dating platforms. The duo gained the trust of their targets, initially requesting small amounts for seemingly legitimate purposes, such as purchasing winter clothes. As trust was built, they concocted elaborate stories, like Patrick being entitled to a significant amount of gold in Ghana that required payment for release. One victim, an elderly man from Australia, transferred almost £138,000 to the fraudsters, along with additional funds and a new phone, believing he was in a genuine relationship with Patrick. The couple further exploited others, receiving substantial amounts that they laundered through their bank accounts. The nefarious pair also manipulated victims emotionally, creating nonexistent romantic relationships. One victim, misled into thinking she was involved with a non-existent man, was coerced into sending £18,000 due to fabricated insurance issues. Another victim, convinced of a friendship with a fictitious German widower, sent money for purported taxes on overseas precious stones. Feeling pressured, she paid £2,500, which was promptly withdrawn in cash from Patrick’s account. Financial records revealed multiple instances of victims transferring funds, with Moro redirecting the money to various accounts. The NCA established that significant sums might have been sent directly to Moro’s accounts in Ghana. The investigation linked Moro to the fraudulent activities through the email account used to deceive an Australian victim. The addresses provided to victims were also identified as those used for banking purposes. Despite their denial, both defendants were convicted after a five-day trial at Croydon Crown Court in November. Moro received a five-and-a-half-year prison sentence, while Patrick was handed an 18-month sentence, suspended for the same duration. The judge ordered the restrained funds in the investigation to be returned to the victims. NCA Operations Manager Paul Boniface emphasized the emotional impact of romance fraud and urged individuals to remain vigilant against suspicious financial requests in online relationships.