Gang sentenced for roles in online dating fraud

MEMBERS of an organised crime group who swindled 99 victims out of £1.8 million by duping them through online dating sites have been jailed.

- 

It follows a long and complex investigation by Surrey Police, who uncovered victims from across the world.

Five of the gang were sentenced for money laundering and fraud-related offences at Guildford Crown Court on Tuesday, after a six-week trial earlier this year.

The romance fraud victims, almost all women, entered into what they believed were genuine relationships. The contact began via a dating website, moving to WhatsApp, with occasional video or voice calls, but no meetings in real life.

The relationships developed into declarations of love and commitment at an early stage, but with a business transaction to be completed before any meeting could take place.