A Southwark man who defrauded more than 30 victims in a rental scam totalling nearly £80,000 has been jailed.
Frederic James Priestley, 34, of Leathermarket Court in Southwark, was sentenced to two years and 11 months in prison at Inner London Crown Court on Friday (June 12) after pleading guilty at Croydon Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, April 15.
Priestley ran a rental fraud scheme between April and September 2025, advertising a flat in Southwark on a Facebook housing group that he falsely claimed was available to rent.
He contacted prospective tenants by email, provided tenancy agreements, and asked for deposits and advance rent payments to be sent to bank accounts under his control.
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Once the payments were received, Priestley repeatedly contacted his victims with false excuses, including fabricated stories of family bereavements, explaining why the rental could not proceed.
He did not own the property and had no legal right to rent it out.
Detective Constable Abimbola Emiola, from the Met’s Economic Crime Team, said: "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."
A total of 34 reports were made to Action Fraud throughout last year, all relating to the same property, and the case was referred to the Metropolitan Police in September 2025.
The Met’s Economic Crime Team investigated and identified a systematic and sustained pattern of fraud, with more than £77,000 paid into Priestley’s bank accounts between March and September 2025.
Victims paid amounts typically ranging from £800 to £2,000, believing they were securing a home.
He was arrested on Thursday (October 9) and charged with fraud by false representation on Tuesday (March 31).
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