by Justin Rohrlich
Convicted con artist Lindani “Daniel” Mangena, previously sentenced to seven years in a UK prison for defrauding over 1,000 churchgoers, has resurfaced as a self-styled “life coach.” He is now accused of promoting a dubious get-rich-quick scheme in the United States.
Mangena was convicted in 2008 after a lengthy scam that swindled members of Seventh Day Adventist congregations in London out of more than $4 million. Promising returns of up to 3,000 percent, he left his victims destitute while he indulged in luxury cars, expensive real estate, and lavish stays at Dubai’s Burj Al Arab hotel. At just 24 years old, he displayed no remorse, which a judge noted when denying his appeal.
Now operating under the name “Daniel” Mangena, he allegedly runs a Ponzi scheme that has ensnared new victims, according to a lawsuit filed in New York State Supreme Court on October 10. Real estate brokers Paul Gavriani and Vince Falcone claim that Mangena embezzled nearly $1 million from them and has likely defrauded many others unaware of his past.
Court documents reveal multiple claims of non-payment against Mangena. In August, a federal judge in Manhattan found him in default after he failed to respond to allegations from a New Jersey woman, who accused him of taking a six-figure sum based on false promises. She stated he manipulated her into believing the loss was her fault. In an email to The Independent, Mangena, now 40, claimed, “I don’t recall it being a crime to have money problems,” adding that he has not yet received the lawsuit.
Mangena, who reportedly resides either in the UAE or Los Cabos, Mexico, disputed the claims of running a Ponzi scheme. He asserted that he intends to repay the money, which he considers a loan, “when I am financially able to do so.” He shifted blame onto Gavriani, Falcone, and others, labeling them as the “root cause of my current financial troubles.”
“I could have easily filed for bankruptcy, but I chose to ignore the attacks and uphold my financial commitments,” he stated.
He also accused Gavriani of persistently referring to him as Lindani Mangena, despite his name being Daniel. However, he is listed in various New York court cases as Daniel Mangena, also known as Lindani Mangena.