A convicted romance fraudster has been ordered to pay back more than £30,000 to his victim.
Kye Hughes, 35, from Rochester, defrauded a woman he met online after impressing her by telling her he was a musician and for extra money, he invested in luxury watches. Hughes explained he bought the watches at trade price and sells on for retail price. He convinced the victim that if she invested, she would double her money.
She transferred thousands of pounds to Hughes, believing the scheme to be a legitimate investment but Hughes was persistent in his fraud, stating he needed more funds and promising a return on her investment. The return never materialised.
The victim reported the fraud to Kent Police and Hughes was arrested in September 2019.
Following a complex investigation by the Serious Economic Crime Unit, Hughes was later charged with fraud by false representation and money laundering. He pleaded guilty at an earlier court hearing and at Maidstone Crown Court on Monday 2 October 2023 was jailed for three years and four months.
Financial investigators from the Proceeds of Crime Team, later established he held assets totalling £32,144 and applied for a confiscation order for compensation to be paid to the victim, using legislation under the Proceeds of Crime Act.
At a hearing at Maidstone Crown Court on Friday 27 September 2024, the order was granted. Hughes has three months to pay or face another 12 months in prison, however will still have to repay the order.
Detective Inspector David Godfrey said:
‘Our work does not stop at the point of conviction, we will always do everything we can to get as much money as possible back for victims.
‘In this case, the woman was left heartbroken and under serious financial strain after being defrauded out of her life savings. I hope the compensation from the confiscation order, will go towards helping her in the recovery of this ordeal.’