Cosmetic Surgery Patient Fraudulently Used Credit Cards For Fat-Busting Liposuction

A cosmetic surgery patient fraudulently used six different credit cards to pay for fat-removing liposuction procedures at two Harley Street clinics - even obtaining a refund when she was unhappy with the outcome.

Graduate Thelma Idahosa, 29, of Durham Hill, Bromley swindled £8,500 worth of liposuction on her thighs, stomach, arms and 'love handles' as well as skin-tightening procedures and received a suspended prison sentence.

She was convicted at Woolwich Crown Court of three counts of fraudulently making false statements to the Harley Street Skin Clinic that she was authorised to use the cards in relation to £4,000 worth of cosmetic surgery.

She was similarly convicted of five counts in relation to the West One Cosmetic Clinic, regarding £4,500 worth of treatment, plus falsely representing she was entitled to a £1,000 refund.

Described as "incredibly rude and aggressive" by an employee of West One Cosmetic Clinic Idahosa - who was subject to a suspended prison sentence at the time - demanded a refund because only three litres of fat had been removed instead of six.

She phoned the clinic "shouting and ranting" and threatened to visit and cause a scene in front of other patients and the company suffered an additional loss after agreeing to refund her two sums of £500.

Prosecutor Mr. Arizuna Asante told the court today: "Other people's identity came into play when the cards were preferred for payment. This was fraudulent from the outset and consisted of multiple frauds."

Idahosa was seven months into a two-year suspended sentence when she embarked on the frauds in May and June, 2012.

Recorder Michael Wood QC told the mother-of-two: "You really should be going to prison. There is only one reason you are not and that is because you have a relatively young child.

"A sentence of imprisonment that would amount to weeks or months is outweighed by your child's rights.

"However, you can't hide behind your children forever and if you commit an offence within the next two years you will go to prison whether you have a babe in arms or are pregnant."

Idahosa was almost certainly told the same thing when receiving her original suspended sentence seven months before the frauds.

She received six months imprisonment, suspended for two years, was placed on a two-year supervision order, must complete a thirty-one day accredited programme and perform 150 hours community service work.

"You are a very, very lucky woman," Recorder Wood told Idaho, who is not subject to a costs or compensation order.