Romance Fraud Scammer Jailed for Ripping Off Victim £120,000
A man has been locked up after fleecing a victim out of more than £120,000 in a heartless online romance scam, Kent Police reveal.
Victim Lured by Fake Army Officer
In May 2023, a woman from Medway bravely came forward. She told police she’d transferred huge sums of money to a man she met online – only to realise she’d been conned. The fraudster posed as an army officer claiming to be involved in “covert operations” in Mali.
He spun a tale about returning to the UK and wanting to live with her. Then came his big ask: help pay import duties on a stash of gold that needed bringing into the country. The victim agreed – wiring a whopping £128,500 over 16 separate payments in 2022 and 2023 to accounts the man said belonged to a colleague.
Fraudster Caught with Fake Passport
Detectives uncovered the truth. The accounts were fake, set up by Maxwell Rusey, 53, from Nuneaton, Warwickshire. Arrested in March 2024, Rusey was charged with fraud and money laundering after police found a fake passport in his possession.
Admitting money laundering and possessing fraud tools, he was jailed for five years at Woolwich Crown Court on Monday, 23 September.
Detective Warns: Romance Fraud Hits Hard
“Romance fraud is a particularly cruel offence causing serious emotional and financial harm,” said Detective Constable Mark Newman. “Many victims find it hard to come forward because of the deception used. I want to praise this victim for helping us prosecute.”
“The jail sentence sends a clear message to other fraudsters: you will be caught and punished.”
