By Edward Trower-
A Yorkshire father and son led a Yorkshire fraud gang and made close to £7 million from illegal activities, but squandered their fortune on luxury property, fast cars, a yacht, jewelry and Star Wars figures.
Keith and Lee Wharton were the top dogs of a flying fraudulent gang who became overnight millionaires, but found to have assets of just £144,000 left over to compensate scores of victims scammed out of life savings and pensions in a bogus property investment scam.
The fraudsters from Leeds led a luxurious high life of luxury, spending extravagantly whilst their investors ended up living in poverty. The Whartons and two other men are serving aggregate prison sentences 34 years.
The judge who jailed the dubious Whartons in 2016 said victims had been left in financial ruin while they sunned themselves on yachts in Spain or drove Aston Martins, Lamborghinis or Maseratis
The court heard Lee Wharton benefited by £4,007,210 as a result of the offending but had £86,183 in assets. That figure is made up of equity flats on Park Row and Whitehall in Leeds city center and money a bank account in Hong Kong from the sale of a Mustang Shelby. The sum also includes the value of the personalised number plate CUM 2, a Star Wars figures collection worth £11,250, photographic equipment worth £10,000, Games Workshop figures worth £9,825 and Bang and Olufsen speakers worth £1,500. Mr Lake said: “The evidence was that he spent most, if not all of the money sent to him by his father.”
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James Lake, prosecuting, said he has assets available of just £58,783. The sum comprised of four Rolex watches and jewelry. They were seized from him when he was arrested as he flew into the UK to sell them for cash. Mr Lake said investigators had scrutinized Keith’s finances but were unable to find any other assets. It is believed he has many other assets hidden or with family and trusted friends, but kept way out of reach. The Eye Of Media.Com also heard that the dodgy pair may have investments in Spain
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