These fraudsters target vulnerable people and exploit them not only financially but emotionally”

him to free investment.

In total, one victim sent £8,000 to Foster’s bank account and another sent £19,000. Eventually both victims sensed something was wrong and contacted Action Fraud.

Foster was arrested on February 10, 2015 and up his told police she had continued to send money because she “wanted to believe” that Hamilton was genuine.

When she was released on bail she continued her online relationship with Hamilton and sent more of her own money to Ghana.

In March 2015, despite being on bail on suspicion of money laundering, another victim of the romance scam paid money into Foster’s account totalling £3,500 which she passed on to Ghana.

When she returned on bail on August 11 2015 she was arrested on an additional count of money laundering.

At court she was told to repay £3,500 but avoided a custodial sentence as she had been on bail for a year and lost her life savings.

Detective Constable Mark Cresswell of the Met’s Operation FALCON said: “These fraudsters target vulnerable people and exploit them not only financially, but emotionally, making their victims believe that true happiness is almost within reach and just a bank transfer away.

“Sherroll Foster was looking forward to a comfortable retirement prior to becoming involved with this scam. She now faces financial ruin and extensive, long term debt.”