Harwich man admits laundering $12K in romance fraud fueling gambling spiral

A Harwich man has admitted laundering more than £9,000 in a romance fraud that not only drained his victim’s savings but also pushed him into compulsive gambling and a spiral of depression.

Adam Mowle, 34, of Larksfield Crescent in Essex, appeared before Ipswich Magistrates’ Court and pleaded guilty to acquiring criminal property by fraud. The charge relates to £9,165 ($12,363) paid into his bank account over several months in 2019. Prosecutors said the money came from a man who believed he was sending financial help to a woman he had met through a dating app.

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.

Victim impact statement

The investigation was carried out by Suffolk Trading Standards. Mowle is scheduled to be sentenced on March 18, 2026.

Magistrates were told that the victim began speaking online in early 2019 with someone using the name “Jenna Leigh Smith.” Over the following 10 months, what he thought was a genuine relationship developed. During that time, he was repeatedly asked for money. He was told she was struggling with serious health problems, that her father had cancer and that she was facing mounting bills. Wanting to support her, he transferred funds believing the help would be temporary and repaid. In reality, the payments were being directed into Mowle’s account.

How Harwich romance fraud led to gambling spiral

In a statement read to the court, the victim, who asked not to be identified, described how the deception unfolded and the toll it took.

“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,” he said. “I felt confident I could lend her money to assist her in the short term and she would pay me 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.”

When he realized he had been defrauded, he stated that the emotional impact was immediate. His mental health deteriorated quickly. In a desperate attempt to recover the money he had lost, he turned to gambling, convinced he might win it back. Instead, he suffered further losses of around £93,000 ($125,452).

He told the court he fell into “a deep state of depression,” was prescribed medication and underwent counselling. At his lowest point, he seriously considered taking his own life.

Graham Crisp, head of Suffolk Trading Standards, said Mowle showed “no regard for his victim” and used the funds for personal expenses, including costs linked to keeping his horse.

Councillor Steve Wiles, Suffolk County Council’s cabinet member for public health and protection, described romance fraud as “a cruel crime which causes serious financial and emotional harm to its victims.” He thanked the victim for coming forward and urged people to be cautious if someone they have only met online asks for money.

Suffolk Trading Standards is encouraging anyone who believes they may have been targeted by a romance scam to contact the Citizens Advice Consumer Service for confidential advice and support.

Featured image: Adam Mowle via Facebook

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