Adam Mowle, 34, of Larksfield Crescent, Harwich pleaded guilty at Ipswich Magistrates Court of laundering £9,165.00 into his personal bank account from the victim of a romance fraud. The hearing took place today following an investigation launched by Suffolk Trading Standards. Mowle pleaded guilty to one count of acquiring criminal property by fraud.
The court heard of how an online relationship was formed between the victim and a person calling themselves “Jenna Smith”. Over a ten-month period, the victim paid over £9,000 to “Jenna” believing that she needed the money due to illness and financial difficulties. The victim was unaware that the money was in fact being paid to Mowle.
The victim, who does not want to be named, said:
“In January 2019 I ‘matched’ with a female called Jenna Leigh Smith on a dating app and as our relationship developed, I genuinely thought that this was the start of a long-term relationship.
“I felt genuine sorrow for the problems Jenna told me she was having that included her father having cancer and her own serious health issues. Jenna told me that she was struggling financially. I felt confident I could lend her money to assist her in the short term and she would pay be back. It was not until I suspected Jenna was lying to me that I realised I had paid £9,135 into an account that I thought at the time was owned by Jenna.
“The personal impact that the relationship with Jenna and losing nearly ten thousand pounds has had on my life is significant and has destroyed my mental health. I felt the need to gamble to try and get something back, this has led to me losing £93,000 to try and recoup the money I paid into Mowle’s bank account, going into a deep state of depression and having to seek help via medication and counselling.
“The situation was so bleak that I seriously considered taking my own life.
“This crime has cost me any chance of having a relationship due to my lack of trust and has led to spiralling depression that then led to gambling, that has further ruined my life and future.”
Graham Crisp, Head of Suffolk Trading Standards, commented after the hearing:
“This has been a particularly complex investigation, and I am proud of the officers who worked diligently in the case to hold Adam Mowle accountable.
“Mowle has repeatedly shown no regard for his victim, using the payments he received on living expenses and the upkeep of his horse.”
Councillor Steve Wiles, Suffolk County Council’s Cabinet Member for Public Health and Public Protection, added:
“Romance fraud is a cruel crime which causes serious financial and emotional harm to its victims.”
“I thank the courage and the bravery of the victim in coming forward in this case and supporting with the team at Suffolk Trading Standards with the investigation.”
“I would ask anyone in an online relationship to be suspicious of any requests for money from someone you have not met in person. Speak to friends and family to get advice. Stop and think, is this person who they say they are?”
Sentencing is listed for 18 March 2026.
Anyone who suspects they or someone they know is a victim of romance fraud can report this in confidence to Suffolk Trading Standards via the Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 0808 223 1133.
