British fraudster jailed over scams that snared dozens worldwide

Myles Carter’s alter egos masqueraded as knowledgeable insiders in the political and sporting worlds

Myles Carter scammed dozens of people around the world with investment scams. Northamptonshire police

A British serial fraudster who scammed more than 100 people worldwide from Dubai to Australia has been jailed for more than five years.

Myles Carter, 43, tricked people into handing over money for a fake Covid-19 savings scheme and set up fake online identities that suggested he had inside information on political decision-making.

Carter used a web of fake companies and multiple aliases to trick 101 people out of nearly £500,000 in the seven years to 2020, said police.

Police confirmed one of his identities was Mason Mills. He masqueraded as a political guru and Brexit supporter leading some of his unwitting followers to believe he was Dominic Cummings, the former adviser of Prime Minister Boris Johnson, according to pro-Brexit website Votewatch.

Carter admitted three counts of fraud and one of money laundering last month linked to a scam in which he also pretended to have inside knowledge selling sporting tips. He was sentenced on Friday to five years and eight months in prison.

One victim handed over £50,000 after Carter claimed to be running a fund to help people through the global pandemic. The same victim lost another £118,000 after giving Carter money believing it would be invested on his behalf.

Judge Rupert Mayo said: “This was fraud carried over seven years, it was sophisticated and required significant planning and involved a large number of victims.

“They were not all vulnerable, but the stories told by victims are sad and tragic, one person contemplating suicide, others being placed in a very depressed state."

Bryan Pye, of Northamptonshire police, said: “Carter was able to live a lavish lifestyle after scamming people into making payments to him, hiding behind a façade and pretending to be representing legitimate companies when he wasn’t – it was all a complete sham."