Dare Adejugbe, who worked as a care worker and had an address in Basildon Road, SE9, pleaded guilty to two counts of acquiring criminal property and one count of transferring criminal property.

Following an investigation by the Metropolitan Police, as part of its Operation Podium campaign, set up to target crime seeking to exploit the London 2012 Olympics, Adejugbe was found to have conned people out of more than £320,000 ($513,000/€378,000) over a nine month period from December 2011 to August 2012, with 29 individual payments being paid into his account.

One of the fraudulent activities related to Adejugbe promising unsuspecting victims from the United States and Slovenia accommodation close to the Olympic Park in Stratford, East London during London 2012, while other acts of fraud pertained to "Romance Scams", offers of employment, inheritance scams and "black money scams".

The victims paid money into accounts believing that they were paying for various fees and flight tickets, and the investigation revealed that one victim from the US was duped into believing she had a multi-million dollar inheritance, and paid £10,000 ($16,000/€11,800) into Adejugbe's account only for it to be taken out leaving the woman bankrupt.

The 41-year-old claimed that he ran a business with relatives and helped provide funds to friends.

"This conviction and sentence of five years imprisonment of Dare Adejugbe sends a strong message to those people who believe that they can prey on the vulnerable whilst hiding in the shadows of the online world," said Detective Superintendent Nick Downing, of the Specialist Crime and Operational Command.

"Mr Adejugbe, along with others, used several methods to hook the victims, firstly using the guise of inheritance scams, [telling] victims that the money was for accommodation in and around the Olympic Stadium during the London 2012 Olympics to avoid suspicion by the banks, [and] secondly the offer of a romantic relationship where funds were later requested.

"The victims were based in the USA and Slovenia, and sent substantial funds through bank accounts under Adejugbe's control.

"Through detailed and professional liaison with the victims and our overseas law enforcement partners, we were able to secure these convictions and place Mr Adejugbe behind bars."

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


Related Stories
May 2012: London 2012 ticket design is unveiled – with high-level security built in
March 2012: Police warn the public against new London 2012 ticketing scam adverts
March 2012: Eight charged over Olympic Delivery Authority fraud
January 2012: Metropolitan Police arrest 24-year-old man in connection with London 2012 fraud
January 2012: London 2012 ticket resale website suspended after computer problems