US woman convicted in Birmingham plot

A US woman was found guilty of conspiracy to murder after traveling to the UK to target a rival family.

US woman convicted in Birmingham assassination plot

A US woman, Aimee Betro, was found guilty of conspiracy to murder by Birmingham Crown Court after travelling to the UK to help attack a rival family in Birmingham. Betro arrived at Manchester Airport in August 2019 and had previously visited the UK in December 2018 as the plan unfolded through online messages. Prosecutors said the motive was revenge linked to a feud in Derby. Betro was extradited from Armenia earlier this year. She also faced charges for possessing a self loading pistol and evading import controls on ammunition. The jury returned verdicts after a lengthy trial, with Nazir and Aslam having been jailed in 2024 for related offences.

The trial showed Betro waited in a Mercedes outside the target’s home, used a burner phone to send messages, and fired three shots when the gun jammed. CCTV footage placed Betro at the scene, and a glove with her DNA was later found with the vehicle. The perpetrator claimed she was in the UK to celebrate her 40th birthday and did not know about the plot at the time of her return to the United States. Co defendants Nazir and Aslam disputed accusations but were convicted for their parts in the plan, reinforcing how a cross border conspiracy can unfold through online connections and real world actions.

The case highlights how digital tools can connect people across borders to plan violence, and how international cooperation is essential to bring suspects to account. Betro’s journey shows how travel records, CCTV, and digital communication can combine to reveal a hidden motive behind a holiday style visit. It also tests the limits and logistics of extradition from Armenia, underscoring the complex cooperation among police, prosecutors, and foreign governments.

The verdict also raises questions about the role of online dating and social media in enabling criminal plots, and about how quickly investigators can assemble a coherent timeline across jurisdictions. While the gun jam prevented a murder, the wider lesson is clear: violent intent can be hidden in plain sight until a detailed investigation uncovers it. The outcome sends a message that international networks of crime face serious consequences, even when suspects travel far from home.

Highlights

Justice travels far, yet accountability finds its way home.