7th
Apr 2017
A model and her mother were found guilty at Southwark Crown Court of operating a £1.2 million property fraud, and for their scam have received prison sentences.
The model Laylah Scarlett De Cruz, 31, who lives in Dubai, and her mother Dianne Jean Moorcroft both denied the charge of conspiracy to commit fraud, however the jury decided differently and gave a guilty verdict by a majority of 10-2 jurors.
During the proceedings the court was told that the two women, along with the assistance of others, carried out the fraud of renting out a Kensington four bed roomed property by using fake documents.
The mother, Diane Jean Moorcroft, changed her name by deed poll to the same name of the real property owner, who had died. Using the deceased woman's name in her new UK passport, she flew to Dubai and opened new bank accounts under the false name.
The woman then returned to London and applied for a loan of £1.2 million against the Kensington property. The fraud was successful when she received the funds in her Dubai bank accounts in October 2014.
However detectives suspected property fraud after the Land Registry informed them of serious misgivings about the Kensington house and a subsequent investigation was launched at the end of October. The team arrested Moorcoft at her home in February 2015 and De Cruz was arrested in May 2016 when she arrived in the UK from Dubai.
De Cruz was jailed for five years last week and Moorcroft sentenced to three years in prison.
During the trial, Prosecutor Teresa Hay, said: "The fraud was as simple as it was audacious. Dianne Moorcroft changed her name by deed poll in summer 2014 solely for the purpose of participating in this fraud.
"She was encouraged and supported in the endeavour by her daughter Laylah De Cruz."
The HM Land Registry's Director of Legal Services, Alasdair Lewis, said: "Property fraud causes a huge amount of distress to its victims and today’s custodial sentences properly reflects the serious nature of the crimes.
"This case highlights the importance of taking steps to protect your property from fraud, particularly if it is tenanted or left empty."
The £1.2 million has never been recovered.
Richard Merrick of PIMS, said: "When hearing of property fraud incidents I always think that this will never happen to me, however even properties that are left vacant for no more than a couple of months can be targeted. It's always better to be safe than sorry."
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