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- £1.2m siphoned from disabled dad’s account over a two-year period
- In addition to spending the money gambling, Geovonne Oliver also purchased a £64,000 BMW M4 with customized license plates, which he later crashed
- Father received the funds after both legs amputated following a horrific 2008 accident
- Only £97,000 – or less than 10% of the money taken by Geovonne – has been recovered by the Court
Geovonne Oliver, 21, fooled Barclays Bank into thinking he was his father Derrick to take £1.265 million from a medical negligence compensation payment, the Daily Star reports, and he didn’t stop there.
In the end, the Jamaican national took some £1.2m over a two year period from the age he was 19, spending the money on gambling, partying and a lavish automobile - a £64,000 BMW M4 with customized license plates, which he later crashed.
His dad received a total of £2.4 million in 2008 following a horrific car accident that left him paralyzed. The lower part of both legs and some fingers eventually had to be amputated.
From the Daily Star:
While he was on a six-month trip to see family in Jamaica, Geovonne phoned Barclays pretending to be his father and conned them into setting up online and telephone banking facilities that allowed him to siphon off the cash.
Geovonne was arrested and charged in January 2015.
A judge rejected the claim that Geovonne initially started the con as a way of helping his poverty-stricken siblings and mother left behind in Jamaica.
Judge Goymer said: "I'm unable to accept that explanation.
“It is clear that some sums were paid to her that were only a fraction of the money that was taken.
"The money was then spent on gambling, on cars and living in luxury rented flats.
"At no stage was he providing himself with the basic necessities of life. Nor was he using the money to further his education or set himself up in education.
"It was as mean and despicable a fraud as anyone can imagine.
“This man mercilessly took money from his severely-disabled father and spent it on enjoying himself."
Only £97,000 – or less than 10% of the money taken by Geovonne – has been recovered.
Geovonne was found guilty of fraud, money laundering and perverting the course of justice at Southwark Crown Court. He was also sentenced for breaching his bail. He is expected to serve up to five years in prison for his misdeeds.
- Jagajeet Chiba, Gambling911.com
