A 45 year old fraudster trying to cash in on the Olympics was sentenced at Kingston Crown Court to 5 years imprisonment on Friday 16 November.
Simon Maxwell, aged (08/01/1967) of Mountview Road, Claygate, Esher advertised properties online, targeting people looking for accommodation during Summer 2012 for the Olympic and Paralympics Games. Using the pseudo name 'Anthony Perry' he became the director of a property company 'Short Lettings London Ltd' and used a legitimate holiday rental website to advertise properties for rent. Victims were tricked into paying a 50% deposit towards the property which were not available for rent. Once they paid this, they never heard from the company again.
Police were alerted to the issue by the holiday rental website, who had received a number of complaints from customers all over the world and couldn't contact the company themselves.
Detectives from Operation Podium were already carrying out an investigation in relation to Maxwell and a different scam relating to the illegal advertising and sale of tickets for Olympic and Paralympic Games through Globalticketmarket.com, where officers believe Maxwell was working with another male.
Police believe over £278, 000 was conned from victims over both businesses, which was used on a lifestyle of rental cars and houses.
Detective Superintendent Nick Downing from Operation Podium said;
"Maxwell was deliberately trying to use the Olympics to con unsuspecting members of the public into booking accommodation which didn't exist, or tickets they were never going to receive. When buying tickets, make sure that you only visit the official sites and check out who is authorised to sell you tickets.
"You should also research any companies purporting to advertise properties for rent. Use the internet to research whether the property exists, and use internet search engines, to check out the company."
Maxwell was arrested on 10 July 2012. He pleaded guilty to two counts of conspiracy to commit fraud on 21 September 2012 at Kingston Crown Court and was today (date) sentenced to a total of 5 years imprisonment.
For more information on how to protect yourself against Fraud see http://www.met.police.uk/fraudalert/house_property.htm
Police are still looking to trace two other men in connection with this case.
Robert Bruce, 56 (20/03/1956), who has also used the alias James Russell. He has been known to stay in London, the Home Counties and Glasgow. He is wanted in connection of setting up the company Short London Lettings and opening up the bank account which took the victims deposits.
Michael James Barry, 59 (22/09/1953), who has been known to go under the names of Barry May, Barry Cavanagh and Barry Cavanagh - May. He has been known to stay in London and the Home Counties. He is wanted in connection with a similar company City of London Lettings.
If you have any information about either of these people please contact Operation Podium on podiumenquiries@met.pnn.police.uk or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111
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