APP Fraud and Romance Scams:
When Victims are Still Left Out of Pocket

Fraudster, Mark Acklom, convinced his victim, Carolyn Woods, that he was a wealthy banker, property developer and senior intelligence officer working for MI6. He claimed to have famous friends and presented himself as credible and authoritative. He shared convincing details about his supposed roles and explained long periods of limited contact as being due to secretive operational work.

Over time, a relationship developed and trust was established. Ms Woods was then persuaded to make a series of bank transfers, believing the payments were necessary for security-related reasons and that the money would be returned.

The fraud was eventually uncovered, and Mr Acklom was prosecuted. He pleaded guilty to fraud worth £300,000 in 2019 and was ordered to pay back ‘all that he had’ within three months. The Court accepted that Mr Acklom’s traceable assets amounted to £125,000, while Ms Woods maintains she lost closer to £800,000.

Mr Acklom faces a two-year prison sentence if he fails to comply with the order. Further complicating matters, he was extradited to Spain to face additional fraud charges. The UK judge acknowledged that full recovery of Ms Woods’ funds was unlikely.

This type of financial crime is known as Authorised Push Payment (APP) fraud.

APP fraud occurs when someone is tricked into authorising a payment themselves, usually by bank transfer. The payment is genuine and approved by the account holder, but it was made because the person was deliberately misled.

Romance scams, like the one experienced by Ms Woods, are a common form of APP fraud. Fraudsters often invest significant time building emotional connection and trust, using plausible stories and authority to reduce suspicion. Victims act in good faith, believing they are making sensible decisions based on the information they have been given.

Many victims assume that once fraud is proven, their bank will refund the money, or the criminal Courts will bring the fraudsters to justice and ensure repayment. In reality, recovery can be much more difficult.

Banks may argue that because the payment was authorised, they are not responsible. Even if a financial crime is fully investigated and prosecuted, the Criminal Courts can make compensation orders, however these depend on the offender’s ability to pay. In many cases, the money has already been spent, moved on, or hidden.

Victims may also choose to make a complaint to their bank and, if that is unsuccessful, escalate the matter to the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS). FOS is an independent and impartial service that resolves disputes between regulated financial businesses and consumers.

FOS complaints can be an essential route in some APP fraud cases, particularly where there are concerns about how the bank handled the payments or responded to warning signs. Outcomes depend on the individual facts of the case, including what the bank knew at the time and how the payments were made.

This is why victims often need to consider all available legal routes open to them, including:

• Civil recovery to trace and pursue stolen funds
• Claims against individuals who may have assisted or benefited
• Strategic use of private prosecutions alongside recovery action

A guilty verdict can bring accountability, but it does not solve the practical problem of where the money has gone or whether it can be recovered.

Sarah Spruce, Legal Director at TLW Solicitors, explains:

“A criminal case can give victims a sense of closure and recognition of what they have been through. But when it comes to getting money back, early advice is crucial. The sooner victims understand their recovery options, the greater the chance there is of tracing funds and taking meaningful action.

Getting advice early can make a real difference, so I would urge anyone affected by financial crime to get in touch with my team for a free, no obligation and confidential discussion about what options are available to you.”

TLW Solicitors specialises in acting for victims of financial crime, including APP fraud and romance scams. We can advise on civil recovery, private prosecutions, and related claims, including where bank complaints or FOS decisions have not resulted in repayment.