Flashy conman lived the high-life; Serial fraudster is finally behind bars

Byline: By GARRY WILLEY

A CONMAN with a taste for the high life is finally behind bars.

Olufunsaho Suleman seemed a wealthy success, driving his executive BMW and with an interest in smart properties.

But the 31-year-old was an illegal immigrant running identity rackets to make his cash.

Suleman used a string of allies and a fake NHS job when he targeted unsuspecting victims.

He stockpiled a hoard of bogus ID documents to help him stage the stings.

But now Suleman, from Norham Place in the centre of Newcastle, has admitted nine fraud charges, another of attempted fraud and possessing articles for the use in fraud.

He also admitted laundering money amassed by deception and misrepresentation.

And Judge David Hodson remanded him in custody after adjourning sentence for reports to be prepared by a probation officer.

He told Suleman: "All sentencing options will be open to the court that deals with you."

The charges relate to frauds committed between November last year and June this year.

Some involved bouncing cheques drawn on high-street banks and presented at branches of the Money Shop.

Suleman used at least four different aliases during the crime spree.

Police eventually recovered 17 cheque books in those various names as well as pay slips, driving licences, a passport, a birth certificate, utility bills and other ID documents.

"The defendant is an illegal immigrant with a penchant for expensive cars and flats financed out of his very successful con tricks," said Glen Gatland, prosecuting.

Suleman - who appeared over a video link to Durham prison - was cleared of one further fraud charge.

He also denied two more money laundering charges and those are to be left on file.

Mr Gatland said the charge of transferring criminal property Suleman did admit would include a BMW, a mortgage, and pounds 16,000 in a bank account.

Suleman is now due to be sentenced in the week beginning October 13 once reports are completed.

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