Conman jailed after forging letter from Dubai ruler

SCAM PROJECT: Don Ladell falsely used Sheikh Mohammed's name in a bid to get money from investors. (The Echo)

A boatbuilder from the UK who forged a letter from the ruler of Dubai to con investors out of money has been jailed for two years, it was reported on Monday.

Don Ladell, 25, convinced investors they would get a return on multimillion-pound plans for a marina on the site of the former loading pier in Southend, in Essex, local newspaper The Echo reported.

He forged a letter from Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashed Al Maktoum in which the sheikh appeared to be offering to invest 75m pounds ($121m) in the project, Basildon Crown Court was told.

The conman won the trust of local investor Laurence Hilsum, who gave him a total of about £323,000 towards the sham project while Michael Johnson, Hilsum’s brother-in-law, chipped in a further £56,000.

Ladell, of Grand Drive, Leigh, admitted five counts of fraud, involving sums totalling £190,000.

Judge Rupert Overbury said: “Your fraud was only successful because you developed a skill as a conman.”

He added: “It is unfortunate, because I have no doubt at all you had ambitions that all your ventures would be a success. Some were complete pipedreams, but others weren’t.”

Print | Email | Discuss this article

| Share |

READERS' COMMENTS

The Seaking boatyard
Posted by Dace, Leigh-on-sea, UK on Thursday 9 July 2009 at 19:01 UAE time


So glad international media has picked this up. Myself and 11 of my friends worked at this boatyard for this conman. He owes us over £50,000 in unpaid wages. We built two thirds of a 55ft luxury powerboat for him with our bare hands. I cannot begin to tell you the financial damage this man did. If you want to see the boat we made look at the following youtube clip. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zrjDWW9mGzw

Er, Patrick
Posted by Del on Wednesday 8 July 2009 at 10:43 UAE time


I believe the court will confiscate the money.

Not in the UAE
Posted by James, Dubai, UAE on Tuesday 7 July 2009 at 14:51 UAE time


just as a clarification, this took place in the UK and not the UAE, if it happened here am sure it would have been a different case.

khalast
Posted by langyaw, Dubai, UAE on Tuesday 7 July 2009 at 14:12 UAE time


Patrick, it's only money, that's why. I suppose Islamic jurisprudence will be tougher when it's a crime against a person, causing him physical harm, or death. money, you can recover. but injury causing deformities or loss of functions, or death, no one can restore.
too bad that this could be a bad example and not a deterrent for future conmen.
-- langyaw

View all comments (5) >>

Click here to post a comment

Add your Comment All posts are sent to the administrator for review and are published only after approval. ArabianBusiness.com reserves the right to remove any comment at any time for any reason. Please keep your responses appropriate and on topic. Arabian Business would like to point out that only comments relevant to the story will be published. Any containing personal insults or inappropriate language will not be approved.
Name *
Remember me on this computer
Email *	(Your email address will not be published)
City
Country
Subject *
Comment *
Notify me of further comments
Enter the words above *
Please click post only once - your comment will not be published immediately.

MORE FROM ARABIANBUSINESS.COM