Fraudster ran very dodgy business from static caravan... before facing justice at Manchester Airport
12.01.2024 - 12:01
/ manchestereveningnews.co.uk
A fraudster who made thousands of pounds selling dodgy TV boxes faced justice at Manchester Airport as he came back from his holidays. Jordan Longbottom, 42, ran a 'successful' online business from his static caravan home, which advertised access to premium TV including Sky and Virgin Media for a fraction of the price advertised by such broadcasters.
But the authorities came aware of the fraud and police arrested him after he stepped off the plane from a holiday to Florida. Longbottom narrowly avoided jail after pleading guilty to criminal offences.
"The man in the pub may think there are no real victims," the judge said. Referring to broadcasters, the judge, Recorder Ciaran Rankin added: "They are each one of the victims, the other victims are perhaps the man beside the man in that pub, that's the man that pays the market rate for these services.
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"The shortfall from these services may mean that they need to pay more." Prosecutors at Minshull Street Crown Court argued that the scheme brought in up to £1 million.
But Longbottom argued they had 'overestimated' his takings, which he claimed were actually nearer £300,000. The sentencing judge ruled that the exact amount would not make a difference to the punishment handed down.
Prosecuting, Ali Alibhai said Longbottom operated the fraud from August 2015 to May 2017 and sold the boxes to 'thousands' of customers, priced at between £100 and £175. He advertised his products on Facebook, with one group on the social media site operated by him gaining 37,000 followers.
Longbottom also employed two paid members of staff to help with his business. The authorities became aware of his