Editor's note: This brief was summarised by The Property AI Newsroom from a report by PropertyWire. Read the original article for full details.

Cheshire Man Sentenced for £200,000 Mortgage Fraud Scheme

A man from Cheshire who posed as a mortgage adviser and defrauded four people of more than £200,000 has been sentenced at Chester Crown Court. Adam Francis, 48, of Barnton, near Northwich, received a 25-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, and up to 20 days of rehabilitation.

Francis had previously pleaded guilty to four counts of fraud by false representation. The offences took place between February 2017 and August 2018, when victims responded to advertisements for his services as the 'Mortgage Man'.

Francis instructed the victims to hand over mortgage deposits, various charges, and solicitors’ fees, claiming these were needed to secure mortgage deals. To make the scheme appear legitimate, he contacted estate agents and mortgage advisers, and instructed solicitors, including paying initial fees to obtain documentation. He also worked alongside an accountant who has since died.

The fraud was uncovered when the victims contacted solicitors to check on their mortgage applications and discovered the deception. The four victims reported combined losses of £203,436, and none of the money has been recovered.

Cheshire Police confirmed that Francis had no financial qualifications and used the victims’ money for personal gain. The case highlights ongoing concerns about mortgage fraud within the UK property sector and underscores the importance of regulatory oversight as industry reforms continue.