Fordham was killed in a car crash on Valentine's Day 2023 while being driven to meet a family member to discuss marriage, as reported by major media. Devon and Cornwall police concluded no third party was involved in the crash, and the driver admitted a driving offence, though the specific offence and exact cause of the crash remain unclear. Fordham was not wearing a seatbelt during the crash.
She had traveled to Ghana in October 2022 to try to recoup some of her lost money. Fordham was judged to be of sound mind and could not be forced to stop sending money to scammers, leading her to sell her home and land and live in a car. According to The Guardian - Main UK, Melanie Fordham described that Fordham realized she had been scammed but initially struggled to accept it, and despite warnings, she continued sending money through various means.
He was retiring soon to return to the UK. She said they were in love and they were going to buy a house together. I remember saying to her that it all seemed a little unbelievable, and the next thing he would be asking for money. I told her categorically not to send him any.
Fordham began using online dating websites in 2017 and was defrauded by a man claiming to be a British army sergeant major working in Syria, then later by a man claiming to be a diplomat. She was contacted by a man in Ghana known as Kofi, who claimed to be a doctor and offered to help her get her money back, with the relationship developing into a romance and Fordham agreeing to marry him. According to The Guardian - Main UK, Melanie Fordham described that Fordham believed they were in love and planned to buy a house together, but no arrests or charges have been confirmed in connection with the frauds.
I think she realised that she had been scammed, but initially struggled to accept it. We’re not clear how Janet transitioned from one fraud to the next. She transferred money by several means, including bank transfers, wire transfers at the post office, and potentially a travel agent.
I spoke to her doctor, sought legal advice, but because she was of sound mind, albeit brainwashed, she was deemed to have capacity and there was nothing we could do. She travelled with the intention and in the belief that she could retrieve some or all of that money.