R.L., also known as “Lord Lester,” a professional gambler from Luton, England, was recently convicted and sentenced to five years in prison for scamming nearly 200 individuals with promises of cheap cruises. The scam, which defrauded victims out of approximately £400,000 ($500,000), was carried out through a fraudulent company offering fake cruise miles.
Lester, who often used aliases, targeted customers from various countries, including France, Germany, Australia, Canada, Japan, the UK, and the USA. Victims only discovered the deception when they arrived at ports, only to be turned away by cruise operators. Lester’s company used misleading terms and conditions and manipulated customers into believing any issues were their fault.
According to Judge Alexander Mills, Lester had been living a lavish lifestyle in Las Vegas, where he spent his ill-gotten gains on gambling and poker tournaments. Mills described the fraud as “well-planned and complex,” executed over a significant period with full knowledge of the defendant.
Lester’s victims, who believed they were booking discounted holidays to exotic locations, were often swayed by positive online reviews from early participants. Kim Berthen from Australia lost $8,300 on what was supposed to be a 30th anniversary trip, while Elizabeth Erskine from New South Wales recounted the distress she felt as her life plans fell apart.
The National Fraud Intelligence Bureau began investigating Lester after receiving 324 claims from victims, and Essex Police Constable Leanne Smith led the multi-year inquiry. Investigators discovered that the cruise companies involved had no record of the victims, and Lester was using multiple bank accounts to funnel the stolen money.
Lester’s conviction brings closure to a complex fraud scheme, marking an end to a lengthy investigation. Despite his attempts to cover his tracks, the evidence ultimately led back to him, resulting in his sentence and bringing justice to the victims of his elaborate scam.
