Crime, News

‘Heartless’ fraudster jailed after scamming more than £16,000 from woman who thought he was a professional footballer

A man has been jailed after duping a woman out of £16,000 in a romance scam where he pretended to be a professional footballer.

Hesaam Ghori, 27, posed as a player for Burton Albion when he struck up a relationship with the victim in October 2021.

A probe was launched in 2023 after she told officers she had lost £16,203.71 to Ghori, who had also conned three other women across the country.

The Nottingham victim, a woman in her mid-20s, was first contacted through Instagram where Ghori claimed he was a professional player with a sponsorship deal from a clothing brand.

After meeting up in person, Ghori told her he wanted to get married, but soon after began asking for money.

He lied to obtain money from the victim, making up stories such as his sister’s cancer diagnosis, or even that he had cancer, stating they needed funds for private treatment.

It was eventually exposed that he was lying when the woman saw a social media post of Ghori at a wedding on the day he said he would be in hospital getting treatment for cancer.

At court the victim said: “Over several months, we communicated daily, sharing stories, dreams, and plans for the future. I began to trust him deeply and he made me believe we were building a real relationship and at some point, we’d get married and start a family together.

“On each occasion Hesaam promised he’d pay me back in full. I felt compelled to assist Hesaam as I loved him. I transferred money repeatedly, believing it would alleviate his difficulties and bring us closer.

“The most painful part of it all is now knowing that Hesaam exploited my kindness and manipulated me to make financial gains for himself.”

After appearing at Nottingham Crown Court on Monday, May 12, he admitted to four counts of fraud by false representation and was handed a two year and four-month jail sentence, as well as a five-year restraining order in relation to the victims.

He will also hear how much he has to repay at a later hearing.

Detective Constable Nabeel Dad, who led Notts police’s investigation into the case said: “Ghori went to great lengths to build rapport with his victims and gain their trust, before fabricating stories to exploit them out of vast sums.

“He demonstrated a cynical disregard for his victims, grooming them with romantic promises before manipulating them for his own selfish financial gain.

“I am pleased Ghori has been brought to justice for his cruel and heartless crimes.

“Hopefully, this case will serve to act as a deterrent to other romance fraudsters who prey on victims in the same way.”