Breadcrumb Trail Links
Cruises Travel Travel InternationalThe 56-year-old conned more than 180 victims
Published Feb 25, 2025 • 1 minute read
A fake lord has been sentenced to five years in jail after selling fake cruise trips to more than 180 people. Photo by GETTY IMAGESReviews and recommendations are unbiased and products are independently selected. Postmedia may earn an affiliate commission from purchases made through links on this page.
Article content
Canadians caught up in a worldwide cruise holiday scam have been offered a small measure of comfort now that the fraudster behind the Ponzi-style scheme has been jailed for five years.
Richard Lester conned more than 180 victims — from Canada, the U.K., U.S., Australia, France and Japan — out of at least £400,000 ($715,000) by selling fake cruise trips, the Daily Telegraph reported.
Advertisement 2
This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
Article content
The 56-year-old caused clients “distress” and monetary loss and would then “gaslight” them into believing it was their fault, Judge Alexander Mills told Chelmsford Crown Court, in eastern England.
He was sentenced recently after being found guilty in December of fraudulent business practices and concealing criminal property.
The court heard the former stockbroker, who used several aliases to evade justice and passed himself off as a “lord,” took advantage of clients booking cruises as wedding gifts and for special occasions such as birthday celebrations.
Addressing Lester in court, the judge said: “You not only took from these individuals and caused them distress, frustration, uncertainty, disappointment and financial loss but you sought to gaslight them.
Advertisement 3
This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
Article content
“Their upset was apparently their fault, leading at least some to question their own actions when all of the time this was down to you.”
Lester operated Cruise Direct UK Ltd. from 2009 to 2014, the court was told, selling “cruise miles” and “cruise vouchers” that customers could then redeem for cut-rate cruise vacations.
It started well, with some customers successfully booking and sailing on cruises, but the court heard many people later received false confirmations for cruises that were actually reserved. Money from new customers was used to refund earlier customers, allowing Lester to live the high life as a “professional gambler” and indulge in his other business ventures.
Judge Mills described the cruise trips scam as “sophisticated,” adding, “They were fraudulent from the start.”
Article content
Share this article in your social network
Fraudster who sold fake cruises to Canadians jailed for 5 years Canadian News Today.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( Fraudster who sold fake cruises to Canadians jailed for 5 years )
Also on site :
- Chicago Forecast: Pleasant temperatures, mostly cloudy skies ahead of possible evening rain
- A ‘detox’ after Covid vaccination? Experts say it’s nonsense
- Yemen’s al-Qaida branch leader threatens Trump, Musk and others