On 24th September, Thursday, a 41-year-old man from Slough was sentenced to prison by the Harrow Crown Court after it emerged that he had primarily conned women out of money after meeting them on dating apps.
The Slough Express reported that Vimal Popat, of Salt Hill Drive used to strike up an online friendship which would eventually transform into romantic relationships with his victims in person. He would woo them, gain their trust and persuade them to invest their money in a non-existent business. He had given this description that he was a successful Forex trader and they were investing in his business with the promise of healthy profits gained through the purchase and sale of currencies. When the victim’s money was transferred into one of his bank accounts, he would gamble it away and then become unavailable.
The court heard that he had created false banking documents and even stolen from his own relatives, with some of the biggest amounts coming from family. He took more than £300,000 from a relative after even managing to trick him into believing he was a successful currency trader at a family wedding. Police believe that there may be more victims who have not yet come forward. His offences are believed to have totalled £440,824.50.
Popat was sentenced to four years and four months’ imprisonment for each count of fraud by false representation. The sentences will run concurrently.
