Love Scam Shocker: Man Jailed for Swindling £11,000 from Online Lover
A 57-year-old from the Isle of Wight has been sentenced to two years behind bars after conning his romantic partner out of over £11,000. Andrew Cosham ran a ruthless romance scam that crushed trust and emptied his victim’s bank account.
Online Dating Dream Turns Into Nightmare
Cosham struck up a relationship with his victim on a dating site in 2019. After months of chatting, they finally met in 2021. He charmed his way into her life, staying over most weekends and convincing her their love was real.
Cash Requests Masquerade as Personal Crisis
By late 2021, Cosham began begging for money, spinning tales of frozen bank accounts and legal troubles. He promised to repay her — but it was all lies. Bit by bit, he drained more than £11,000 from her savings.
Police Nab Romance Rogue, Justice Delivered
The victim alerted Sussex Police in September 2022. After a detailed probe, Cosham was arrested in November 2023 and charged in September 2025. He pleaded guilty at Hove Crown Court.
“Romance fraud is a particularly cruel offence,” said Detective Sergeant Rodney Davis. “We urge anyone affected to come forward.”
The court also slapped Cosham with a restraining order, banning him from contacting his victim again.
If you’ve fallen prey to romance fraud, call police on 101 or contact Victim Support for help.
