Conman's £8.5M Scam: A Timeline of Deceit and Missed Opportunities

A London conman, who should have been deported over a decade ago, has been exposed as the mastermind behind a vast £8.5 million property scam that targeted victims across the UK, including many in East London.

Anopkumar Maudhoo, 46, a Mauritian national and illegal immigrant, used a web of false identities to defraud 45 victims, stealing their life savings in one of the UK’s most significant property frauds. Known by aliases such as Vincent Lebouf and Yusef Khan, Maudhoo lived an extravagant lifestyle with the stolen millions. He splurged on 19 high-end vehicles, including five Aston Martins worth over £1.2 million, a £97,000 speedboat, and luxury rental properties in Hertfordshire, Knightsbridge, and Wapping, East London.

The scam’s complexity was highlighted by prosecutor Simon Wilshire KC, who described it as a "vast, complex and highly organised scheme." Maudhoo’s modus operandi involved tricking would-be buyers by pretending to have access to properties at significantly reduced prices, claiming they were on the verge of repossession. In reality, these homes were either rentals or still occupied by their legitimate owners.

Maudhoo’s reach extended deep into the East London community, where he rented a plush flat in Park Vista Towers, overlooking the Thames. His audacious plans included trying to purchase a superyacht named 'Mistaken Identity', which he intended to moor at St. Katharine Docks, right below his luxury East London residence. This detail underscores his brazen confidence and the sheer scale of his deceit, which had a profound impact on local victims.

For years, the conman operated with impunity despite being known to authorities. The Home Office first ordered his deportation in 2010 after a conviction for using a fake identity on immigration paperwork. However, Maudhoo remained in the UK, evading capture until his arrest in September 2024. During a routine traffic stop in one of his Lamborghinis, he presented a fake Portuguese driving license, further cementing his history of deception.

His long-running criminal history includes previous convictions for fraud and ID offences. In 2010, he was caught stealing deposits for flats advertised on Gumtree using a fake company and stolen cheques. The latest fraud only began to unravel when unwitting buyers showed up at homes they believed they had purchased, only to find the actual owners living there. As one homeowner put it, one can "only imagine the surprise" of the people living in a home they thought they had just sold.

At Southwark Crown Court, victims spoke of the "cruel and calculated act of deception" that stole their sense of stability and security. One elderly victim even believes the stress contributed to his stroke.

Maudhoo, who appeared emotionless in court, has pleaded guilty to 31 offences, with a total loss of £2,296,000, and admitted to additional uncharged offences totalling over £6.6 million. His defence counsel, while admitting his client's wrongdoing, attempted to portray him as having "considerable talents," noting he helps other prisoners learn to read and write.

Maudhoo is expected to face a lengthy prison sentence, and the Crown intends to pursue his assets through the Proceeds of Crime Act. The case highlights a serious lapse in the UK's immigration enforcement system, allowing a career criminal to operate for years, causing widespread financial and emotional devastation, particularly in communities like East London.