A con artist who pretended to be a critically ill woman to deceive a man into sending him £9,000, which he then spent on his horse, managed to avoid a jail sentence.
Adam Mowle, 34, heartlessly created a fake persona on a dating app to manipulate his victim into transferring large sums of money. Prosecutors revealed that Mowle masqueraded as a woman named Jenna Smith to lure an unsuspecting victim who believed he had found his perfect match.
Under the guise of Jenna, Mowle engaged in online conversations with the man, convincing him of a future together in a “long term relationship.” By fabricating stories of Jenna’s illness and financial struggles, Mowle exploited the victim’s compassion.
Mowle first encountered his male victim on the dating app Tinder by posing as a woman named Jenna Leigh Smith. Their virtual relationship flourished with thousands of messages exchanged over a year, leading the victim to believe he had met his ideal partner.
Despite speaking with a feminine voice during phone calls, Mowle consistently evaded meeting the victim in person, citing various excuses. The victim eventually grew suspicious, especially after discovering Mowle’s financial requests and false promises. Mowle even used images of an unidentified woman to enhance his deception.
By fabricating emotional stories, including claims of severe illness and familial hardships, Mowle manipulated the victim into making 78 payments totaling £9,165 over ten months. Mowle, residing in Harwich, Essex, confessed to fraudulently obtaining criminal property between January and December 2019.
Although warned that his actions warranted imprisonment, Mowle received a suspended 12-month jail term and was ordered to compensate the victim, cover prosecution costs, pay a victim surcharge, and undergo rehabilitation. Evidence suggested Mowle had targeted other men online for financial gain.
Prosecutor Fred Batsone revealed that other potential victims were hesitant to come forward, highlighting the victim’s growing suspicions about Jenna’s true identity. The victim, left devastated by the fraud, spiraled into depression and financial loss, resorting to gambling in a futile attempt to recover his funds.
Mowle’s Facebook page showcased his equestrian activities, reinforcing his deceitful narrative of Jenna’s identity. The victim, reflecting on the scam, expressed profound regret and the devastating impact on his mental health and financial stability.
During court proceedings, Mowle attributed his actions to experiencing psychosis and creating the false persona of Jenna. His defense lawyer, Claire Lockwood, emphasized Mowle’s remorse and the complexities surrounding his behavior.
Despite the seriousness of the offense and the substantial amount of money involved, the court opted for a suspended sentence due to Mowle’s engagement with mental health services. The case concluded with authorities commending the diligent efforts in bringing Mowle to justice and urging victims of romance fraud to seek support and report incidents for appropriate action.
