In a shocking twist, a man who once boasted about his lavish lifestyle, including private jets and a hot air balloon, is now claiming that he can’t repay the money he stole from a victim.

Richard Dexter, 41, who was convicted of defrauding a woman out of nearly £150,000, says he no longer has access to the fortune he pretended to have, citing lost passwords and damaged devices.

The Lies Behind the Lavish Image

Dexter, from Portsmouth, Hampshire, was jailed for four and a half years after he convinced Dubai-based Amrita Sebastian, a successful executive, that he was a wealthy businessman.

Meeting on Tinder in 2015, Dexter spun a web of lies about his alleged millions, claiming to own private jets, work with Hollywood studios, and even buy extravagant items like a hot air balloon “just because he could.”

He told Ms. Sebastian he had investments worth £4.2 million and was involved in major deals with companies like 3M and Pall Corp.

He promised her high returns on her money, assuring her she wouldn’t lose a penny.

However, after sending him £141,500, she later learned that the supposed millions were a fabrication, and the bank account he showed her only had 37p in it.

The Scam Unraveling

Despite his conviction, Dexter has yet to repay Ms. Sebastian, who was promised £200,000 in Bitcoin as compensation.

In a court appearance, Dexter argued that he can no longer access the funds, claiming that the devices he used to store the passwords for his cryptocurrency wallet have been damaged or lost while he was in custody.

The man who once boasted about his wealth now faces a serious legal challenge in trying to prove that he can’t repay what he owes.

Legal Back-and-Forth

At a court hearing, Dexter’s new lawyer, Christopher Bealey, raised doubts about the authenticity of his claims, suggesting that the devices used to store his crypto funds may not even exist anymore.

The court has scheduled a further hearing in May at Salisbury Crown Court to determine whether Dexter is telling the truth about his alleged inability to access the stolen funds.

If his story is proven to be false, the consequences for Dexter could be severe.

A Deeply Dishonest Character

Judge Mousley, who sentenced Dexter in 2022, made it clear that he considered Dexter’s dishonesty a profound and consistent part of his character.

The judge criticized Dexter for resorting to lies with ease and for showing no remorse for his actions.

Dexter had admitted to seven counts of fraud related to swindling Ms. Sebastian out of £141,500, but his failure to repay the funds and his ongoing lies have left the victim without closure.

Dexter’s case highlights the dangers of online fraud and the lengths some individuals will go to in order to manipulate others for financial gain.

While he claims to have been successful in the past, the truth of his situation is now in question, and only time will tell if he can prove his claims in court.

This article was published on TDPel Media. Thanks for reading!

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