Seaford: Woman speaks of ordeal as romance fraud partner jailed

Louise Wynne thought she had met the love of her life after a friend told her about a man that she should go on a date with.

The 57-year-old, from Seaford, went with a group of couples to a pub quiz where they met Andrew Camfield.

The pair immediately got on, going on more dates before making their relationship official two months later.

Louise with Andrew (Image: Louise Wynne)

Within weeks of being together, the 59-year-old swindled £2,000 out of Louise by telling her an elaborate “web of deceit” about how he was due to inherit money from his late father’s estate.

He integrated himself into Louise’s family, went on holidays with her and even pretended to work remotely for a large company in Europe during their three year relationship, which started in February 2019.

Camfield has now been jailed for seven years after pleading guilty to fraud by false representation last week.

Louise told The Argus: “The relationship developed really quickly. By February, he was telling me he loved me. I just fell hook, line and sinker for him. We had so much in common, he was funny and personable.

“That’s how he presented to everybody. I would go to his house in the Cotswolds, he would stay with me and the relationship deepened.

“I had absolutely no warning signs throughout the time I was with him. I genuinely believed everything he said about himself.

“We went on holidays with friends, my family thought he was a really nice guy, my best friend was happy. He was totally integrated into my life and everyone believed him.

Louise has decided to speak about her experience to warn others about the dangers of romance fraud (Image: Sussex News and Pictures)

“Stories developed about issues with the bank, a whole web of deceit around why money wasn’t coming back. It was all complete fiction and I believed all of it.”

The largest sum of money Louise paid Camfield was £14,000 from her credit card and current account.

He even swindled £10,000 off Louise’s family when bailiffs came knocking one day. The money was from Louise’s son’s wedding fund and parents’ savings.

Eventually, Louise’s son grew suspicious and reported Camfield to Sussex Police in June 2021.

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“I couldn’t believe he had done that even though in hindsight it was in my best interests. I thought Andy was a genuine individual and these were unfortunate circumstances. I loved him and supported him", said Louise.

“My son said it’s not going to be okay and said ‘now we will know if this is right or not’.

“At that point, Andy went off and said ‘I can’t live in this environment with people questioning me’.

“He was adamant they were wrong. That was the last I saw of him. He maintained his lie right the way through until before the trial.

“He couldn’t take the pressure from my family. He didn’t know it was in the hands of the police.

“It took a long while for me to see black and white through the police investigation as to what the lies were. It revealed somebody else who I didn’t know. I was in disbelief.

“Part of me inside still loves the Andy I know and still wants to believe he still loves me. The Andy I don’t know is the one that sat in the court.”

Camfield was charged with fraud by false representation in June 2022. He pleaded guilty on March 27 this year.

Camfield has been jailed for seven years (Image: Sussex Police)

At sentencing, her honour judge Kelly said: “This was a prolonged and sophisticated fraud – you engaged in a relationship, you deceived Louise through elaborate lies defrauding her out of a significant amount of money.

"You lied throughout the relationship making up elaborate lies stringing her along. This was a truly callous and calculated set of actions which breached her trust.”

Louise offered advice for other people who have suspicions that they are on the receiving end of romance fraud.

She said: “Make sure you contact a financial advisor immediately, do not try and deal with the onslaught from credit card companies and financial institutions. I was helped by Sussex Independent Financial Advisers.

“They said they see cases like this all the time. I would also say the speed of the way the relationship develops, that is a red flag. You are driven by your heart. It was tough for me because we went into lockdown during Covid. I didn’t really have access to friends and family to chat face to face.

“Always check in with someone who knows you well.”

If you or someone you know has been a victim of romance fraud, report it to police by calling 101.