Wednesday 17 December 2008

Fake prince jailed for 12 years

A Melbourne man who posed as a rich Arabian prince to con investors out of more than $7 million has been jailed for 12 years.

Omar Jihad Yusuf, 40, claimed he owned three banks, a $40 million home and three Australian islands, and posted photos of himself on his website showing him in helicopters, jets and yachts.

Yusuf pleaded guilty to 126 counts of obtaining property or financial advantage by deception.

The deception began after the father of five invited the public to invest in his company, On The Go Transport, to raise funds to buy trucks.

Victorian Supreme Court Justice Robert Osborn said Yusuf's "deception was deliberate and was pursued relentlessly for personal gain".

Justice Osborn sentenced Yusuf on Wednesday to 12 years in prison with a non-parole period of nine years.

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