An NHS administrator who siphoned nearly £80,000 from a hospital trust’s bank account to support a man she believed was her online boyfriend has avoided a prison sentence, after telling the court she was emotionally manipulated and “pressured” into sending him the money.
Fifty-three-year-old Carol Whitmore, who worked in the finance department of the South Midlands Health Trust, had access to confidential banking systems when she began transferring funds in early 2023. Over the course of 18 months, Whitmore made dozens of unauthorised transactions totalling £79,642 — all directed to an individual she had never met in person but had been communicating with through social media.
The man, who claimed to be a successful businessman based in Lagos, Nigeria, told Whitmore he was facing temporary financial hardship and promised to repay her as soon as he secured a lucrative international contract. Messages submitted in court revealed a pattern of escalating emotional pleas, with the man frequently referring to Whitmore as his “wife” and declaring their relationship “divinely ordained.”
In court, Whitmore tearfully recounted how she had become isolated following the death of her mother and found solace in the online relationship. “I truly believed we were going to build a life together. He promised me marriage, he told me he loved me,” she told Birmingham Crown Court. “Every time I hesitated, he would say I didn’t trust him — and I didn’t want to lose him.”
Her defence lawyer argued that Whitmore, who has no previous convictions and a long record of public service, was the victim of an elaborate romance scam — part of a growing trend targeting vulnerable individuals online.
Judge Helena Barrett accepted that Whitmore had not acted out of greed but out of misplaced trust and emotional manipulation. However, she criticised the breach of professional integrity, noting that public funds had been diverted from essential healthcare services.
“This was a serious breach of the public’s trust,” the judge said. “You had a duty to protect resources intended for patients and healthcare provision. While I accept you were manipulated, your actions caused significant harm.”
Instead of an immediate custodial sentence, Whitmore was handed a two-year suspended sentence, ordered to complete 300 hours of unpaid work, and to attend a financial responsibility course. The court also imposed a Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA) investigation to attempt to recover lost funds, though prosecutors conceded that most of the money is unlikely to be retrieved.
A spokesperson for South Midlands Health Trust expressed disappointment but said processes were being strengthened to prevent similar breaches in future. “This was a highly regrettable incident involving an individual we trusted. We are working closely with authorities to recover what we can and to ensure this never happens again.”
Experts warn that romance scams, especially those with international elements, continue to rise. “These scams are sophisticated and deeply personal,” said fraud expert Caroline James. “They exploit loneliness, trust, and emotion — and even intelligent professionals can fall victim.”
Whitmore, speaking briefly outside court, said: “I just want other women to learn from my mistake. Love should never come at the cost of your freedom or your career.”
