Serial Fraudster Who Preyed on Elderly Mobile Home Owners Gets 7.5 Years
Fraud victims have spoken out after Nevada Smith was handed a hefty jail term for targeting vulnerable mobile home residents across the East Midlands.
Conman Exploited Elderly Victims for Luxury Lifestyle
Smith swindled elderly and vulnerable residents from 2012 to 2019, stealing more than £500,000. The cash funded his lavish lifestyle, including expensive cars, designer clothes, and handbags.
His tactic? Selling mobile homes he didn’t own and failing to repay victims after part-exchanging or buying their properties. In some cases, he didn’t pass on sale proceeds and even dumped a mobile home — with belongings inside — in a car park.
Intimidation and Threats Kept Victims Silent
Smith’s partner in crime, Peter Tomlinson, posed as a buyer to coax victims into deals. When victims raised concerns, Smith intimidated them, gained access to their homes without permission, and offered meagre ‘repayments’ to keep them quiet.
“I felt frightened and at times terrified, actually fearing for my life when Nevada threatened me with his fist under my chin,” said one victim.
“He thought he could come inside my park home uninvited whenever he chose to, banging on my window in anger when the door was locked. I was 72 at the time and suffered emotional stress and sleepless nights.”
Another victim described how their home was “smashed up and taken away from the site,” with Smith using threats of local thugs to scare people into silence.
Fraud Probe Led to Heavy Sentences
The East Midlands Special Operations Unit launched a financial investigation in 2019. Investigator Jason Helmn revealed intimidation was a key part of Smith’s operation.
Smith, 46, from Mumby, Lincolnshire, admitted 16 counts of fraud by false representation involving 14 victims. Leicester Crown Court sentenced him to 91 months in prison.
Tomlinson, 67, received an eight-month jail sentence, suspended for 12 months, plus 122 hours of unpaid work.
“Thankfully, all money has now been repaid,” said Helmn. “I hope today’s outcome reassures victims that justice is done and they can move on with their lives. Sadly, some victims are no longer with us to see it.”
He urged anyone who has suffered similar fraud to contact their local police or Action Fraud immediately.
