Formula 1 lies and an 'evil twin sister': Romance scam victim defrauded his friends out of £130,000+

The 76-year-old was sentenced at Shrewsbury Crown Court – sitting at Telford Justice Centre – on Monday after previously admitting six charges of fraud by false representation.

The court heard that Marsh, of Pinkham, Cleobury Mortimer, had been taken in 'hook, line and sinker' by an online fraudster calling herself 'Jessica Hoffman'.

'Jessica' had convinced Marsh that the pair were in a relationship before asking him for thousands of pounds to help her gain access to her "rightful inheritance".

At one point Marsh had become suspicious of 'Jessica's' motivations and discovered a separate online account seemingly featuring the same woman involved in pornography.

But Alice Aubrey-Fletcher, prosecuting, explained he had accepted the fraudster's claim that the profile instead belonged to her "evil twin sister".

The court was told that as Marsh's own finances were bled dry he then concocted an elaborate story which he used to persuade two female friends to hand over their own money – so he could continue paying 'Jessica'.

Judge Recorder Christopher Millington said he accepted Marsh's crimes had not been motivated by personal gain, and was told that his victims had been paid back entirely after his bank reimbursed him for the funds he gave to his scammer.

But Ms Aubrey-Fletcher had explained how one victim had to release equity in her own home following the fraud, while both victims had in turn borrowed money from friends to hand over to Marsh.

The court heard that in summer 2022 he had started talking to the pair about a device he had invented which would improve the efficiency of engines used by cars racing in the glamorous Formula 1 championship.

He told both women that he was selling the design to an American company for £1m.

But Ms Aubrey-Fletcher explained that Marsh started to tell the women that he needed funds to pay for issues due to the patent of the design being challenged by Ferrari in America – claims that were a complete fabrication.

The court heard that one victim initially lent £2,000 to Marsh in December 2022, which he repaid within two weeks with £200 'interest'.

The following February he told the women he needed $25,000 for legal challenges, with one of them agreeing to lend him the money.

His other victim also offered to help him further by approaching friends about the issue.

She herself borrowed £25,000 from friends which she forwarded to Marsh.

Ms Aubrey-Fletcher said that Marsh then told them he needed more money for the patent challenges, with his first victim handing over another £20,000, while his second victim also borrowed another £20,000 to give him.

One woman then contacted friends about the situation with one agreeing to hand over £20,000 on the condition the money was returned with eight per cent interest.

The court was told that promissory notes were made out in respect of each loan.

Marsh's demands continued, with the victims handing over a combined £3,000 to pay for "an Italian notary," while one woman's daughter also lent him another £2,000.

One victim's son also agreed to loan Marsh £10,000 – a sum matched by the son's partner.

With Marsh 'stalling' on when they would receive their money back the victims went to his home on May 4, 2023, to discuss the situation.

Having been confronted, Marsh admitted it had been a lie and the money was gone, telling the women that he himself had been scammed.

Ms Aubrey-Fletcher said that the women had left, shocked at the revelation, and that days later Marsh added them to a WhatsApp group titled 'My Despicable Actions' in which he apologised and said he would pay the money back.

The court heard statements from the victims with one describing the physical and mental toll the situation had taken on her, leading to worries that her cancer would return.

The pair had spoken of how when Marsh had been sick himself they had walked his dog and helped out for several months.

One said he had created a "complex and convincing scenario" to defraud them.

The court was told that one victim said they believed Marsh had targeted them because they were each divorced or widowed and had no-one who would question what happened, describing him as having 'groomed' them.

Catherine Rabaiotti, mitigating for Marsh, said it was the first time in 76 years that he had come before a court.

She said: "It is extraordinary, he has lived 76 years being a law-abiding, tax-paying member of the public, to find himself in the dock today."

The court was told that the money was not used to "fund a lavish lifestyle" with Ms Rabaiotti saying: "Roger Marsh never spent a penny of the money he obtained from the neighbours himself.

"He was at all material times the victim of a cynical, mean, and successful romance scam."

She added: "He thought he was speaking to a real person who really felt devotion to him, who he thought he had a future with, who he also believed himself to be desperate, vulnerable and in need of his help. And he is someone who because of that belief, who before he spoke to his neighbours, he plundered his own savings, raided his own pension and pawned his own belongings."

Rabaiotti explained that the fraud came in the wake of the death of Marsh's wife of 48 years – with the pair having been together for 52 years.

She added that he was remorseful and his own life is now 'modest' and 'unrecognisable' having been 'shamed and shunned'.

Sentencing Recorder Millington said he was satisfied the circumstances of the crimes were "not ordinary" and were "completely out of character".

He said: "I am satisfied that when the prosecution described you as a victim yourself they were right.

"I am satisfied that at the time of these offences you were vulnerable and you were taken advantage of and you were exploited by someone who preyed upon your own shortcomings and loneliness."

Marsh was sentenced to eight months in jail, suspended for 12 months.

He was also ordered to complete 40 hours of unpaid work.