Jail for fake estate agent who conned thousands out of women

A fraudster who claimed to be an estate agent has been jailed for four years after conning vulnerable women into giving him thousands of pounds.

Stephen Davey also received a 10-year restraining order and a proceeds of crime hearing, set for next year and with the aim of getting some of the money back to his victims. 

Davey, from London, pleaded guilty in court in Liverpool to two counts of fraud by false representation, making articles to use in fraud, possessing articles to use in fraud and theft. Three further charges of fraud by false representation, making off without payment and malicious communications were allowed to lie on file.

Posing as ‘Stephen Burns’ and ‘Simon Davey’ and using other false names, Davey befriended women - typically those in vulnerable circumstances - claiming to be an estate agent, police officer, solicitor or probation officer amongst others. 

Reporting on the case, the Chester Standard says he undertook a series of elaborate ploys to obtain money, using trick emails, text messages and hard copy paperwork.

Davey’s crimes came to light in April 2019 when he left a hotel in Liverpool city centre owing money for his stay, having also taken money off a staff member for cigarettes he never delivered and having promised to get tickets to Liverpool FC matches which never materialised. 

Staff alerted the authorities after spotting online newspaper articles about Davey’s previous offences.

Following sentencing, Detective Constable Laura Gilbert of Warrington CID, said: “This has been a complex and wide-ranging investigation spanning multiple force areas. Stephen Davey is a manipulative and despicable individual who has knowingly preyed on extremely vulnerable victims.

“He is a career criminal whose only motivation throughout was to extort as much money as he could from his victims. I would like to thank the victims and witnesses in this case for coming forward and exposing his predatory behaviour, and for the bravery they have shown in doing so.”

You can read a local newspaper report on Davey here.