Alick Kapikanya looked every bit the successful businessman: chauffeur-driven limousines, tailored suits, and mansions in Cheshire’s most exclusive postcodes.
He frequented luxury hotels and lived a life most could only dream of.
But beneath the glitz, Kapikanya was no entrepreneur—he was a career fraudster whose web of crimes spanned decades.
The Long Road of Fraud and Deception
Kapikanya, now 57, accumulated 11 convictions, including theft, and evaded deportation from the UK for an astonishing 27 years despite five separate orders.
His most notorious scam involved stealing elderly victims’ homes in a £3.5 million mortgage fraud.
After 42 years in Britain, the Court of Appeal has finally ordered him to return to his native Zambia.
Luxury Properties and Lavish Spending
During his years evading justice, Kapikanya lived in a series of high-end properties, from riverside mansions in Cheshire to upscale flats in Manchester.
He owned a gated mansion on Mereside Road, Knutsford—an area favored by footballers and celebrities—between 2006 and 2007.
Residents remember him as appearing normal, despite the opulence and secrecy of his lifestyle.
In Manchester, he registered under the name Alex May and used a luxury flat in Didsbury both personally and as a company address.
Neighbors described him as unremarkable, masking a life built on scams, identity theft, and the illegal remortgaging of properties.
Gambling, Limousines, and High Society
Kapikanya spent his ill-gotten gains on extravagant living: West End hotels, gambling at The Ritz Casino, and traveling exclusively by limousine.
Despite his criminal record, he mingled with influential figures, meeting local councillors and attempting to acquire stakes in football clubs like Notts County and Grimsby Town.
Early Life and the Path to Crime
Arriving in the UK at 14 to be adopted, Kapikanya’s plans fell through, and he was reportedly absorbed into a religious cult.
His criminal activities began early, with convictions for fraud and theft dating back to the 1990s.
He repeatedly dodged deportation orders, exploiting appeals and legal loopholes.
The £3.5 Million Mortgage Scam
Between 2007 and 2008, Kapikanya orchestrated a gang with property fraudster Marshall Joseph, nicknamed “Mr Fastcash,” targeting ten luxury homes across the UK.
They stole identities of elderly homeowners, used fake documents to remortgage the properties, and pocketed millions. Victims were unaware of the illegal loans until authorities intervened.
Kapikanya was sentenced to six years in prison for the scam, but continued legal maneuvers allowed him to stay in the UK for years afterward, citing personal and familial hardships.
Legal Battles and Final Deportation Order
Despite health issues and family considerations, the Court of Appeal ultimately ruled that Kapikanya must leave the UK. Judges highlighted how the system of repeated appeals had allowed him to remain in Britain for decades, but emphasized that the 2016 deportation order should now finally be enforced.
Victims’ Lives Turned Upside Down
The property fraud caused immense distress for the homeowners, who discovered loans taken out against their homes without their knowledge.
Senior Crown Prosecutor Ben Southam described the impact as causing “considerable distress and inconvenience” to the victims, underscoring the human cost behind Kapikanya’s extravagant lifestyle.
