Janet Fordham, a 69-year-old woman from Honiton, Devon, died in a road accident in Ghana on Valentine's Day 2023, after being defrauded of up to £1 million in a series of romance scams, according to multiple reports. She began using online dating websites in 2017, according to major media reports.
Fordham was initially scammed by a man claiming to be a British Army sergeant major stationed in Syria, who said he needed help to get gold bars to the UK. Her daughter-in-law, Melanie Fordham, told a press conference: 'He was retiring soon to return to the UK. She said they were in love and they were going to buy a house together.' Melanie recalled warning her: 'Janet mentioned nothing about any money at that point, but I remember candidly saying to her that it all seemed a little unbelievable, and the next thing he would be asking for money.' She added: 'I told her categorically not to send him any. Janet had been sending money to him, but we didn't find out about this until years later. I believe she gave him around £150,000.'
He was retiring soon to return to the UK. She said they were in love and they were going to buy a house together.
After her UK bank accounts were frozen, Fordham was further defrauded by a man posing as a diplomat, according to major media reports. Another man named Kofi then contacted her, claiming to be a doctor in Ghana who wanted to help recover her money. Melanie Fordham said: 'He was working on a phone that saw messages to and from Janet on there. He believed Janet had been scammed. He felt compelled to help her get her money back. So, he took her phone number and made contact.'
Police spoke with Fordham about Kofi but could not further the investigation due to her lack of engagement, according to major media reports. Despite police involvement, Fordham continued to transfer money abroad using bitcoin and ATMs. Melanie Fordham noted: 'We became aware that she transferred money by several means, including bank transfers, wire transfers at the post office, and potentially a travel agent. The banks, post office etc stopped her from using their services, transferring money, because they recognised that it was fraud.'
Janet mentioned nothing about any money at that point, but I remember candidly saying to her that it all seemed a little unbelievable, and the next thing he would be asking for money.
At the time of her travel to Ghana, Fordham was living in a caravan at her son's home in Honiton, Devon, according to major media reports. Several unknowns remain: the exact amount of money lost has not been confirmed, the circumstances of the road accident are unclear, and it is not known whether Kofi was involved in the scam or why Fordham travelled to Ghana. No arrests have been reported in connection with the fraud. Melanie Fordham said: '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.'
I told her categorically not to send him any. Janet had been sending money to him, but we didn't find out about this until years later. I believe she gave him around £150,000.
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.
We became aware that she transferred money by several means, including bank transfers, wire transfers at the post office, and potentially a travel agent. The banks, post office etc stopped her from using their services, transferring money, because they recognised that it was fraud.
He was working on a phone that saw messages to and from Janet on there. He believed Janet had been scammed.
He felt compelled to help her get her money back. So, he took her phone number and made contact.