Cabbie Controller Posed As Doctor During £15,000 Romance Fraud

A mini-cab controller, who sent his new internet fiancee a photo of him wearing hospital scrubs during a £15,000 scam, has been jailed.

Mohamad Yousef, 37, of Loxwood Road, Tottenham knocked four years off his age and claimed he was a doctor while romancing his victim.

He convinced her to take out a loan for the sum and give it to him to cover their wedding costs and was never seen again until police arrested him.

At Wood Green Crown Court Yousef pleaded guilty to fraud and was sentenced to 18 months imprisonment.

Hemet the 30-year-old female victim on a well known dating site in May 2017. 

Yousef told the victim that he was a 33-year-old doctor and sent her a picture of him wearing his hospital ‘scrubs’.

The relationship progressed quickly and the couple became engaged within the month.

At the end of May 2017, Yousef asked the victim to loan him some cash as he was short of money for their wedding, which he was arranging at the Dorchester Hotel. 

She transferred £800 into his bank account. In addition, he convinced her to take out a loan of £15,000 to cover the cost of their wedding.

However, once he had the money, Yousef broke off all contact with the victim and despite trying, she couldn’t reach him.

When she contacted the hospital where he claimed to work they had no knowledge of him. 

She called the Dorchester and found that no booking had been made for the wedding.

Mohamad could not be located and so was circulated as wanted on the Police National Computer.

On September 13, 2017 Yousef was arrested at Heathrow when he landed on a flight from Africa.

He claimed that the victim took out a loan against his wishes, but he still accepted the money from the loan into his account.

He said he received over £14,000 from the loan, but only had £6,000 left, having spent the rest on an emergency as his father was not well.

During interview Yousef was asked about the picture of him wearing hospital scrubs that he sent to the victim on the dating site. 

He claimed that the photo was taken when he was doing voluntary work with Oxfam, when he was providing vaccinations. 

He said that his actual occupation was mini-cab controller.

Detective Sergeant Milan Pandya, said: “It is so important that anyone scammed by online fraudsters comes forward so that we can make a start in putting a stop to their activities.

“Victims should absolutely not be embarrassed. These unscrupulous people are convincing and tenacious in their deceptions.

“Please don’t hesitate to contact police if you have been a victim of this crime – at the very least contact us to ensure that you receive any support that you may need.”