A man has been sentenced to prison after defrauding more than 30 individuals of over £77,000 in a rental scam, according to police.
Details of the Fraud
Frederic Priestley, 34, from Southwark, London, falsely advertised a property for rent on Facebook between April and September last year. He provided prospective tenants with tenancy agreements and collected deposits and rent payments, despite never owning the property and the property not being available for rent.
On Friday, Priestley was sentenced to two years and 11 months in prison for fraud by false representation at Inner London Crown Court.
Police Investigation
The Metropolitan Police reported receiving 34 separate complaints from Action Fraud in September last year, alleging that Priestley failed to honor rental agreements for a flat in Southwark. After receiving payments, he would contact victims with various excuses for not proceeding with the agreements, including claiming family deaths.
Officers discovered that significant payments, totaling £77,400, were made by victims to Priestley. The amounts typically ranged from £800 to £2,000, described as deposits and associated fees.
DC Abimbola Emiola, from the Met’s economic crime team, stated: “Priestley exploited people who were simply looking for somewhere to live, using convincing paperwork and false reassurances to make his scheme appear legitimate. This was not an isolated incident, but a sustained fraud carried out over many months, affecting dozens of victims and causing significant financial and emotional distress. This sentence demonstrates that we will pursue those who abuse online platforms to commit fraud. We encourage anyone who believes they may have been a victim to report it as soon as possible.”
Mobile phone analysis, along with victim statements, supported the investigation. The defendant was arrested in October 2025 and pleaded guilty at a hearing at Croydon Magistrates’ Court in April.
