Fraudster jailed for mobile homes scam
Nevada Smith, 46, defrauded his victims of more than £500,000
- Published
A fraudster who targeted elderly people in a mobile home scam has been put behind bars.
Leicestershire Police said Nevada Smith defrauded his victims of more than £500,000 over a seven-year period by selling them mobile homes he did not own.
He used the money to buy expensive cars, designer clothes and handbags, the force said.
Smith of Sea Lane, Ingoldmells, Lincolnshire, pleaded guilty to 16 counts of fraud by false representation at Leicester Crown Court and was jailed for seven years and seven months.
Police said the offences took place between 2012 and 2019 at three mobile home parks owned by Smith's family in Leicestershire and Lincolnshire.
The 46-year-old's primary focus was to target those who wanted to downsize their properties, selling them mobile homes he did not own.
Smith, of Sea Lane, Ingoldmells, Lincolnshire, also bought mobile homes from some victims and did not pay them money they were entitled to.
He enlisted the help of an associate - Peter Tomlinson - to act as a would-be buyer to help convince victims to sell.
When victims began to express concerns, Smith would intimidate them, or they would be offered a small amount of cash as part of an ongoing repayment.
Scared victims
One of his victims said: “I felt extremely vulnerable and powerless with Nevada's constant harassing and intimidating behaviour, feeling frightened and at times terrified, actually fearing for my life when Nevada had threatened me with his fist under my chin.
"I was 72 years of age at the time and suffered such emotional stress, not being able to sleep and feeling constantly on edge.
"It affected me deeply."
Tomlinson, 67, of Mansfield Road, Heanor, Derbyshire, pleaded guilty to one count of fraud by false representation on 10 June.
Appearing at Leicester Crown Court on Friday, he was jailed for eight months, suspended for 12 months and must also complete 122 hours of unpaid work.
Leicestershire Police said all money had since been returned to victims.
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