A Greenhithe man who posed as a millionaire businessman to defraud victims out of vast sums of money has been sentenced to three years and two months in prison. Aidan Sinclair, 61, forged bank statements, contracts, and documents to deceive three individuals between 2020 and 2022.

One of Sinclair’s victims was his neighbour, whom he persuaded to invest in a non-existent company. He also claimed to be in the process of buying a multi-million-pound property and offered to help her secure a mortgage. Over time, Sinclair convinced her to give him more than £18,000, of which she recovered some funds through her bank. However, she ultimately suffered a loss of over £9,000.

Another victim, introduced to Sinclair by a mutual acquaintance, worked in the financial sector. Sinclair presented a falsified bank statement showing £5 million in an offshore account and convinced the victim to transfer money for tickets to the Royal Enclosure at Ascot, which were never purchased. Alongside unpaid work the man performed for Sinclair, the victim lost around £36,000.

A third victim, a director of two companies, was led to believe Sinclair would invest £6 million in his businesses. Sinclair even signed a contract to that effect, but the cheques he provided bounced. At one point, Sinclair requested a £45,000 release fee to secure the funds, but the victim did not pay.

The incidents were reported to Action Fraud, and Kent Police arrested Sinclair in August 2022 at his residence in Havelock Drive, Greenhithe. He later pleaded guilty to multiple fraud charges and was sentenced on Tuesday, 15 October 2024, at Woolwich Crown Court.

Detective Constable James Burr, the investigating officer, said:
“Aidan Sinclair is a manipulative and dishonest individual with a history of offences, who causes financial hardship to his victims. Despite portraying himself as a wealthy businessman, he is a criminal without a shred of remorse for those affected by his actions.”

DC Burr emphasized the importance of caution when dealing with financial matters, urging the public to follow the ABC rule of fraud prevention:

Assume nothing
Believe no one without verification
Confirm all details provided

“If something seems too good to be true, it probably is,” he added.