A former Birmingham perfume salesman has been jailed over a world-wide property scam – and been ordered to pay back an astonishing £42m to his victims.
James Moore, who staged business seminars, sold flats and hired out office space in the city, has paid a heavy price for his grubby dealing.
At New York’s Southern District Court this week, the 60-year-old was sentenced to 11 years for his part in a business fraud that lured in 800 victims from around the globe.
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Moore, found guilty of wire fraud and wire fraud conspiracy back in 2019, was also ordered to forfeit £1.2m and pay back an astonishing £42m ($58m) to victims. He was also fined £50,000.
The severe punishment relates to the conman’s role in start-up business Bar Works, which offered companies hot-desking space in trendy bars and restaurants.
People from around the world ploughed cash in what the court described as a “Ponzi scheme on steroids”.
The business plan was simple: rinse the maximum amount of cash from investors before the business collapsed.
The crime has made headlines in America, but Stateside reports do not touch upon the trail of misery smooth-talking Moore left in the Midlands.
His has been a heady climb from sunbed and smellies salesman to global con-merchant. The fall has been even more dramatic.
In Birmingham Moore will be remembered for the glitzy gatherings he staged as head of Inside Track…
