Debra Leeanne Costelloe ‘duped’ over romance scam and illegally laundering money
A Hunter woman has lost her life savings after becoming involved in a complicated romance scam which saw her illegally launder thousands of dollars for her “boyfriend”.
Newcastle
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A Hunter woman who “followed her heart”, became the victim of a complicated romance scam which saw her thousands of dollars out of pocket and illegally laundering money for her online “boyfriend” whom she’d never met.
Debra Leeanne Costelloe from Beresfield was “duped” into thinking “William Thompson” — a UK-born Sydney man based in Ghana — was the man of her dreams and despite asking for money soon after they starting talking, she didn’t want to believe it was a scam, a court has heard.
Police facts stated the fraudster requested money to be sent to him as he was “struggling financially” and Ms Costelloe had sent him money from her Super account.
Despite being “suspicious” she continued to be reassured by her boyfriend.
Also, because he didn’t want to set up a bank account in Ghana, he asked Ms Costelloe to allow him to send money from investors into her bank accounts.
In total, almost $165,000 was sent to Ms Costelloe to be laundered between August 2014 and November 2016.
Despite being warned of a potential romance scam by the banks and police, Ms Costelloe persisted.
She eventually admitted to lying to police about their relationship and she was then charged in May 2019.
“Because at that time, I didn’t want to believe what had happened, that I was in that kind of relationship with him, I thought I had something different,” police facts recorded Ms Costelloe saying.
The 50-year-old pleaded guilty to recklessly dealing with proceeds of crime instead of an original charge of knowingly dealing with the proceeds of crime.
In Newcastle District Court on Wednesday Judge Penelope Wass said Ms Costelloe had lost her life savings and fell into considerable debt.
She said it was a man who was well versed on praying on victims and she was “blinded by love”.
“Her recklessness comes from being so gullible, she was extremely vulnerable,” Judge Wass said.
“Her own life has been ruined by her involvement and her remorse I find to be completely genuine.
“She was unwittingly eluded into this scam, she was taken advantage of, the community has nothing to fear from her.”
Ms Costello escaped conviction, but was given a two year conditional release order (CRO).
Outside court to waiting media, Ms Costelloe said she was relieved it was all over, giving a warning to others.
“Women should be aware there are scammers out there,” she said.