Conman Jailed after Failing to Appear in Court

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Corrado guilty of 43 laptop fraud offences uncovered by H&F Police

A conman guilty of cheating people trying to buy laptops has been jailed after failing to appear in court.

As we reported last September, police were appealing for help finding John Anthony Corrado, 31, who was wanted for failure to appear in court.

Corrado was found and arrested on 2 February this year and further arrested for failing to appear at court.

He subsequently appeared at West London Magistrates' Court on 4 February where he was sentenced to a total of 24 weeks' imprisonment, suspended for two years, and 300 hours of community service.

He was further arrested and charged with 43 fraud by false representation offences. Again, Corrado pleaded guilty and was sentenced at West London Magistrates' Court on 4 April to a further 18 months' imprisonment, suspended for two years, and 250 hours of community service.

Corrado, of no fixed address was originally scheduled to be sentenced for five counts of fraud by false representation on 15 September last year after pleasing guilty to the offences earlier in the month.

At the time, PC Michael Proffitt of Hammersmith and Fulham said: "It's highly likely that there are further victims who have been duped by Corrado who have not yet reported the matter to police and I would urge them to come forward to speak to police. "

Officers from Hammersmith and Fulham established that Corrado found his victims on an online buy/sell site, all of whom were selling MacBook laptops. He then arranged to meet the seller at which point he falsified a transaction to buy the item whilst face to face.

What he actually did was falsify a mobile transaction which never happened. Following the fake bank transfer he then left with the laptop.

"Corrado fooled his victims into believing his actions were legitimate, " said PC Proffitt. " He created his own receipts and even made fake calls to banks whilst pretending to make transactions.

"Please remember to always check the legitimacy of any transactions and if in doubt speak to your bank directly. Always make online transactions via secure websites and report suspicious activity to the police or to Action Fraud."

June 24, 2016