An East Herts woman has been sentenced to 43 months in prison for defrauding a former neighbor out of over £100,000 in a Spanish property scam. Margarita Clark, 72, pleaded guilty to fraud by false representation at St Albans Crown Court on September 13.
In 2018, Clark befriended a woman in her 70s who had recently moved to the area after her husband passed away. The two quickly formed a close bond, frequently meeting for coffee and lunch.
During a conversation about finances, Clark fabricated a story about investing in property in Spain, enticing the victim with promises of interest in return for her investment. Over the next two years, Clark continued to concoct fictitious property deals, ultimately acquiring around £118,000 from the victim. She used the funds to purchase luxury clothing, a new car, and even convinced the victim to finance a lavish trip to Dubai.
In October 2020, concerns were raised by a family member who discovered the scam after searching online. They found that Clark had previously served 40 months in prison for defrauding friends out of £2.5 million in 2014.
An extensive investigation by the East Herts Local Crime Unit, supported by specialist fraud officers, led to Clark’s arrest in September 2023.