A fake mortgage adviser who approached estate agents as part of his con, has been sentenced for frauds totalling more than £200,000.

Adam Francis (pictured) defrauded four people with the help of an accountant, who has since died.

Sentenced

Francis, of Barnton, near Northwich, Cheshire, was sentenced to 25 months in prison, suspended for two years, and up to 20 days’ rehabilitation.

The 48-year-old had previously pleaded guilty to four counts of fraud by false representation.

The victims had each been seeking help for new mortgages and approached Francis between February 2017 and August 2018, after seeing his adverts offering his services as the ‘Mortgage Man’.

Francis told the victims that to secure the deals, they needed to hand over mortgage deposits various charges, and solicitors fees.

No cash recovered

To help persuade the victims the mortgages were legitimate, Francis spoke with estate agents, mortgage advisers, and instructed solicitors, including paying initial fees, to help to obtain the documentation used for the con.

In reality, Francis and his associate had already stolen all the money, and none of it was recovered.

The victims only became aware that they had been tricked when they contacted the solicitors to check how their mortgages were progressing.

Between them, the four victims reported losses of just over £203,436.

Francis had no financial qualifications, and he used the victims’ cash for his own personal gain.

After sentencing at Chester Crown Court, Detective Constable Catrin Phoenix, of Cheshire Police, said: “In reality, Francis had no financial qualifications, and he used the victims’ cash for his own personal gain.

“While we have been unable to recover any of the victims’ cash, I do hope that the fact Francis has now been held accountable for his actions will provide them with some closure.”