A serial fraudsters who stole thousands in “sophisticated” scams from “vulnerable” students has been jailed.
Diane Richards created fake tenancy agreements and took deposits from seven people for houses which she did not own.
Lincoln Crown Court was told that two international students who needed accommodation in order to begin their studies at the University of Lincoln were among the victims.
It was discovered by one student that Richards lived with her family as a tenant in one of the properties which she was attempting to rent out.
Richards, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to seven counts of fraud by false representation between February 2022 and June 2024.
The court heard that the 54-year-old was granted police bail for similar offences in 2022.
PICTURED: Lincoln Crown Court, where it was heard that Diane Richards had previous convictions of a similar nature
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However, she went on to commit four similar offences in 2024 by advertising properties which she did not own on Facebook.
Prosecutor Stuart Lody said: “These were rather sophisticated frauds which took place over a significant period of time.
“These victims all lost considerable sums of money.
“They were vulnerable as they were negotiating from abroad and arrived in this country to find they did not have accommodation.”
FRAUDSTERS BROUGHT TO JUSTICE – READ MORE:
Two of the victims were students at the University of Lincoln and needed accommodation before they could begin their studies
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Richards had 20 previous convictions for 27 offences, including similar frauds, the court heard.
Judge James House KC said an immediate prison sentence was needed in order to deter others, although he did acknowledge that she had significant health problems.
He said: “The reality is the defendant has behaved in a dishonest way over a considerable number of years.
“She offends to make money for her own lifestyle.”
He also confiscated £4,768 from Richards’ savings, declaring that it would be split between the victims.