Fraudster Finally Caught After Fleeing Abroad
Sami Raja, 33, from Grays, Essex, has been locked up after dodging justice for years. Convicted of fraud back in January 2019, the fraudster fled to Dubai just weeks before his trial began. Now, he’s behind bars serving an eight-year sentence for ripping off 130 victims.
£2.4 Million Scam Targeted Elderly Victims
Raja, along with four accomplices, ran a crooked scheme selling fake carbon credits through two companies, Harman Royce Ltd and Kendrick Zale Ltd, between 2012 and 2013. Their scam made them a cool £2.4 million from unsuspecting investors, many of whom were elderly.
Despite being arrested in 2013 and released under investigation, Raja managed to stay free while the complex case dragged on for five years. He pleaded not guilty in 2017, then vanished to Dubai just two weeks before his trial in December 2017.
Luxury Life in Dubai Didn’t Last
Even in hiding, Raja flaunted his lavish lifestyle, posting shots from Maldives resorts and flashing a £4,000 Rolex and a £33,000 Aston Martin on social media. But justice caught up with him when authorities issued a European Arrest Warrant in March 2019.
He was arrested in Athens on 15 July 2020 and extradited back to the UK on 26 August. Raja appeared at Southwark Crown Court the very next day to begin his prison term.
Police Praise Team Effort in Bringing Raja to Justice
“Raja cruelly targeted elderly individuals with the intention of defrauding them of their life savings,” said Senior Investigating Officer Hayley Wade from the City of London Police Fraud Squad. “He felt no remorse then, and his arrogance only grew as he flaunted his riches online.”
“Today, we’ve shown that no one is above the law. We hope Raja’s prison sentence brings some comfort to his victims.”
Wade also thanked the National Crime Agency, Crown Prosecution Service, Metropolitan Police, and Greek authorities for their help in tracking Raja down.
