Woman who duped investors into handing over more than £1.5million will pay back just £50,000

A SERIAL fraudster who conned at least £1.5million out of British investors in a Turkish property scam will pay back just £50,000.

Hayley Brown, 43, stole £600,000 off one victim through a "web of duplicity" and would "seduce" the investors into shelling out large sums of money.

She has been ordered to repay just £56,846 of total sum she stole after being convicted following a four-week trial at Leeds Crown Court, West Yorks.

Brown was found guilty of 13 fraud offences in March 2014.

She was jailed for four years for fraud and five years for two firearm offences, which will run consecutively for her to serve a nine-year jail term.

Her case has resurfaced after a confiscation hearing revealed that despite stealing more than £1.5million, her only available assests are £56,846.

The sum included £5000 from a Rolex watch, £6,000 from a Chanel watch, and £45,000 in "hidden assets".

Judge Guy Kearl, QC said: "Where's all the rest of the money?"

Prosecutor Paul Reid said that no more cash had been found and that "all avenues which might result in some sort of financial benefit" had been "exhausted".

Mr Reid added: "It's basically been squandered."

Mr Reid said that Brown's house had been repossessed by the bank and there were charges on it and added: "Part of the problem is that, as she is incarcerated, she is less likely to be willing to provide any further details.

"She has quite a long way to go before she is released."

Brown, from Cleethorpes, North East Lincs,was not present for the hearing after declining to attend and attempts at providing a video link from prison had also failed.

During her trial, Brown made a series of elaborate claims about large stashes of money supposedly tied up abroad.

Her stories were rejected by the prosecution as fanciful nonsense designed to run rings round investigators.

Mr Reid said that a large amount of property, mainly counterfeit clothes, had been seized from Brown's home and Judge Kearl made an order that this be destroyed.

Judge Kearl gave Brown three months to pay £56,846 or face a further nine months' prison in default.

He said: "If she fails to pay, the prison sentence will still be served and she will still owe the money."

The money confiscated will be turned into token compensation payments to the victims, some of whom lost much more and Mr Reid said: "It's a sad end to a sorry saga."

The defence agreed the benefit figure and the supposed available assets amount after many earlier delays and the court ruled that should further assets come to light in the future, further monies would be sought from her.

Financial investigator, Gary Rowlinson, said Brown had preyed upon the "trusting, vulnerable and naive."

He said: "She squandered the bulk of her gains on a lavish lifestyle, courting potential new investors and maintaining a web of deceit to impress all those who had dealings with her.

"Humberside Police were able to account for almost all of the monies received from the complainants.

"However, there may have been investors who did not come forward for personal reasons, embarrassment or fear. These may have handed over their cash in ways the police are unaware of or to accounts held overseas.

"The £1.5 million figure remains with Brown for life. The court and police reserve the right to revisit her circumstances at any time in the future, or on receipt of any information suggesting the whereabouts or existence of any hidden assets.

"Brown and fraudsters like her should be viewed by the public in the same way as muggers, burglars and robbers. Their crimes are no less cruel nor the impact on their victims any less traumatic or life-changing."

Police are encouraging anyone with information about Brown to contact police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

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