Five individuals involved in a large-scale romance scam operation in the UK have been convicted of money laundering and fraud. Prosecutors revealed 40 confirmed victims with estimates suggesting around 99 victims in total faced significant financial and emotional harm. The operation laundered an impressive sum of approximately £3.25 million. Although some defendants faced trial, others pleaded guilty prior. The CPS emphasized the emotional distress inflicted on victims, many of whom were vulnerable due to personal circumstances, and urged others who may have been scammed to come forward without shame.
"The criminals here showed complete disregard for their victims who were met on an online dating website for the sole purpose of exploiting and scamming them out of much-needed money."
"They caused terrible emotional distress to their victims - who were often recently divorced or widowed. None of them had any of the money they thought they were loaning repaid."
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