For over five years, investigators relentlessly pursued the stolen fortune of Carolyn Woods, a victim ensnared by the elaborate lies of Mark Acklom, a 52-year-old conman whose deception spanned decades.
The court revealed Acklom profited by £710,000 through his crimes, yet only £125,000 is currently recoverable – a stark reminder of the devastating impact of his calculated fraud. The judge presiding over the case emphasized the profound loss suffered by Ms. Woods, stating she was deliberately drawn into a “web of fantasy and deceit.”
Acklom, described as possessing “quite extraordinary powers as a conman,” systematically drained Ms. Woods’ resources, driven by a relentless desire to exploit her trust. The judge expressed serious doubt that the full amount would ever be recovered, but noted Acklom’s likely fear of returning to the UK and facing further imprisonment.
During their relationship, Acklom constructed a false persona, weaving tales of connections to celebrities like Nicky Clarke and Chris Evans, boasting of conversations with Hillary Clinton, and claiming acquaintance with Karl Lagerfeld. He even fabricated involvement in clandestine MI6 operations, all to manipulate and control Ms. Woods.
Under the alias Mark Conway, Acklom skillfully misled Ms. Woods into believing they shared a “committed relationship” despite already being married. He proposed marriage just one month after their initial meeting in a Tetbury boutique, quickly escalating the deception.
He convinced Ms. Woods to hand over nearly £300,000 of her life savings in 2012, falsely claiming the funds were for renovations on properties in Bath, a Porsche, and the rental of a grand Georgian manor. He then vanished, becoming one of the UK’s most wanted fugitives under Operation Captura.
After years on the run, Acklom was finally tracked down in Switzerland and extradited back to Britain in 2019, where he faced imprisonment. Ms. Woods, a divorced mother of two, described the ordeal as “total financial ruin,” haunted by debt collectors after liquidating her pension and savings.
In a powerful victim impact statement, Ms. Woods revealed she suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder, branding Acklom’s actions as an “act of the utmost cruelty, designed to destroy my life for his personal gain.” The emotional scars of his betrayal ran deep.
Acklom’s history of deception extends far beyond this case. He fled the UK in 2016 while serving a fraud sentence, later being extradited from Spain in 2021 after serving an additional two years. His criminal activity began early, receiving a four-year sentence in 1991 at the age of 16 for a £466,000 mortgage fraud.
Even as a teenager, Acklom displayed a brazen disregard for the law, stealing his father’s credit card for £11,000, defrauding a former teacher of £13,000, and racking up a £34,000 bill with a private jet company. His pattern of manipulation and financial exploitation was established long ago.
Prosecutors described Acklom as a “calculating, persistent fraudster” who preyed on Ms. Woods’ vulnerability, fabricating a narrative of espionage and wealth to justify his requests for loans. His actions were deliberate and premeditated, leaving Ms. Woods financially devastated.
The pursuit of Acklom’s remaining assets continues, driven by a determination to disrupt and deter similar fraudulent schemes. The case serves as a chilling example of the devastating consequences of unchecked deception and the enduring struggle for justice for victims of financial crime.
