Dating Scam Doc Jailed for Conning Woman Out of £15,800
A sham “doctor” who used dating websites to fleece a woman out of a whopping £15,800 has been locked up for 18 months.
Fast-Tracked Fake Romance
Mohamad Yousef, 37, from N17, posed as a 33-year-old hospital doctor. He tricked a 30-year-old woman on a popular dating site back in May 2017. Yousef even sent her a photo of himself in hospital scrubs to seal the deal.
Within weeks the couple were engaged. He spun a tale about organising their wedding at the prestigious Dorchester Hotel — but first, he needed cash, he said.
£15,800 Loan Swindled for ‘Wedding’
Yousef convinced the victim to transfer £800 and then pressured her into taking a massive £15,000 loan to cover the so-called wedding costs. Once the money was in his account, he vanished without a trace.
Frantic calls to the hospital revealed no record of Yousef working there. The Dorchester had never received a booking. The victim was left out of pocket and broken-hearted.
Spotted, Slapped with Fraud Charges & Sentenced
Yousef was nabbed at Heathrow in September 2017 returning from Africa. He claimed the victim took the loan out without his consent but admitted he kept the cash. He said he spent much of it on his ill father.
He bizarrely told cops the scrubs photo was from volunteer work with Oxfam, and revealed his real job was a mini-cab controller — not a doctor.
Yousef pled guilty to fraud at Wood Green Crown Court in July 2019 and was sentenced to 18 months jail last Wednesday.
“Victims should absolutely not be embarrassed. These unscrupulous people are convincing and tenacious in their deceptions,” said Detective Sergeant Milan Pandya.
“If you’ve been scammed, please come forward so we can stop these crooks and offer you support.”
