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Police hunt Islington ‘landlord’ con-man
This article is an external press release originally published on the Landlord News website, which has now been migrated to the Just Landlords blog.
Police are searching for a rogue landlord from Islington, who is alleged to have conned a number of potential tenants out of £20,000.
The con-man, known by a fake name of Mustafa Bhatt, was captured on CCTV when walking one of his victims to a high-street bank, in order to draw out a huge advanced sum of £4,200.
Victims
Police have said that they are aware of twelve victims at present, but they expect that number to rise. The con-man struck by issuing false rental listings online for a property in Popham Street, Islington between 3rd-11th September last year. His bogus behavior was only uncovered when tenants, many with all of their belongings, arrived at the property to find out they had been tricked.
Detective Inspector Rita Tierney from Islington CID said, ‘we have spoken to a number of concerned young adults, some from overseas, who have been defrauded of their savings by this unscrupulous man and we are keen to identify him as soon as possible.’[1]
‘If you recognise this man or have any information about the fraud please call 101 quoting 2721069/14 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.’[1]
Authorities have described the con-man as Asian, in his 30’s, with short black hair, a beard and dark framed glasses.
[1] http://www.standard.co.uk/news/crime/police-hunt-bogus-landlord-who-conned-wouldbe-tenants-out-of-more-than-20000-10323293.html