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Man jailed for £1m fake football memorabilia fraud | Man jailed for £1m fake football memorabilia fraud |
(about 4 hours later) | |
A fraudster who funded his "lavish lifestyle" by selling fake football memorabilia bearing "signatures" of the game's biggest stars has been jailed. | A fraudster who funded his "lavish lifestyle" by selling fake football memorabilia bearing "signatures" of the game's biggest stars has been jailed. |
David Rennie, 46, from Banbury, Oxfordshire, sold shirts, balls and boots to online customers around the world, Bournemouth Crown Court heard. | David Rennie, 46, from Banbury, Oxfordshire, sold shirts, balls and boots to online customers around the world, Bournemouth Crown Court heard. |
He was jailed for six years after being found guilty in January of fraud and money laundering. | |
Investigators said Mr Rennie, of Stroud Close, had made £1m over nine years. | |
His wife Clare, 45, who previously admitted the two offences, is due to be sentenced on 27 February. | |
Dorset Trading Standards prosecuted the couple after purchasing items from their website, FA Premier Signings. | |
It sold football paraphernalia purportedly signed by famous footballers including Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and Wayne Rooney. | |
They were charged with participating in a fraudulent business as a sole trader and money laundering. | They were charged with participating in a fraudulent business as a sole trader and money laundering. |
Acting on a complaint, trading standards officers obtained what was claimed to be a signed Wayne Rooney Manchester United shirt costing £150. | |
Football memorabilia experts told David Rennie's trial they believed the signature was forged. | Football memorabilia experts told David Rennie's trial they believed the signature was forged. |
The court heard a significant number of unsigned shirts and fake "certificates of authenticity" were found at Mr Rennie's home in 2016. | The court heard a significant number of unsigned shirts and fake "certificates of authenticity" were found at Mr Rennie's home in 2016. |
The fraud helped to fund a "lavish lifestyle", including family holidays to Florida and luxury cars, trading standards said. | The fraud helped to fund a "lavish lifestyle", including family holidays to Florida and luxury cars, trading standards said. |
Lead investigator Neil Martin said the "deliberate and long-term fraud" had duped some customers into paying more than £700 for "worthless" items. | Lead investigator Neil Martin said the "deliberate and long-term fraud" had duped some customers into paying more than £700 for "worthless" items. |
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