Fraudster Jailed For Five Years

Updated:Mar 2010

Fraudster Jailed For Five Years

A fraudster who posed as a reputable jeweller in order to steal from almost 50 victims over a five year period was sentenced to five years imprisonment on Friday 16th October at Isleworth Crown Court.

The man, aged 51, of no fixed abode admitted 22 counts of fraud by false representation , six counts of obtaining property by deception and one count of fraudulent trading at Isleworth Crown Court on 7th October. In addition to the custodial sentence, the man has been issued with a Serious Crime Prevention Order, preventing him from trading as a jeweller on his release from prison

DC Jane Hynes of the London Regional Asset Recovery Team said: "I am delighted that the many victims in this case have seen this individual brought to justice. They have endured years of misery and frustration as a result of his criminal behaviour"

The fraudster presented himself as a reliable trader and created a convincing website through which customers trying to sell their jewelley could locate him. He called his business "The Watch and Jewellery Exchange of Mayfair" and used radio advertisements to promote the business. He would meet his victims in prestigious bars and hotels in the Mayfair area where he would persuade them to part with their jewellery and watches. The man would undertake to sell the items on their behalf, but either sold or pawned the goods without paying the victims. In some instances he issued them with a cheque that would either bounce or be blocked.

Police were alerted to the man's activity after he was reported by a victim of one of his scams. This led to his arrest on 9th July 2008. Enquiries by the London RART then resulted in almost 50 victims being identified.

After the man's conviction in London, it was revealed that he had been released from prison following conviction is Scotland in 1999 where he was sentenced to 66 months imprisonment for exactly the same offences. For this reason and to prevent further offending in the future the court considered the seriousness of the crimes and issued the Serious Crime Prevention Order. In Scotland over 200 victims were identified having had £400,000 stolen from them and subsequently again, more recently, in London with 50 victims identified losing in the region of £350,000, in some cases causing devastating financial loss.

DC Hynes said: "This result is testimony to the victim's co-operation and willingness to stand up and be counted. They supported the prosecution, providing evidence and demonstrating commitment and willingness to attend court despite personal difficulties. This is an excellent example of the way the prosecuting authorities and the public can work together to achieve justice."