Fraudster jailed

Scott Travis

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A fraudster who systematically conned an elderly man out of more than £100,000, that he blew on plastic surgery and hotel stays, has been jailed.

Scott Travis, 44, of Baguley Crescent, Middleton, was convicted of two counts of blackmail, two counts of money transfer by deception and fraud following a trial at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court.

Today, (Friday 10 February), he was sentenced to eight years.

His co-defendant, David Hannon, 49, of Baguley Crescent, Middleton, admitted two counts of blackmail at an earlier hearing and was today sentenced to 21 months.

Travis first met and befriended the victim, now 82, in 2002.

He told the man his family was from Italy and due to his heritage he held the title of Viscount Dibella III and that his parents were extremely wealthy.

The two lost touch before Travis got back in contact with the victim after a 12-month hiatus, telling him he had been diagnosed with cancer and was not expected to live for more than six months.

He spun further yarns, telling the victim his wealthy mother had been killed in a traffic collision in Naples and that he was sole heir to the family estate.

In early 2003, the victim agreed to loan Travis £20,000 to pay for alternative treatment to his cancer.

In June 2003, Travis told the victim he was being pressured to repay a £4,000 loan and again the victim agreed to lend him the money, which Travis said would be paid when he was able to free up cash from his family estate.

In July that year the victim lent Travis £2,300 then £2,800 after he told the victim a man had threatened to cut off his fingers.

A few days later the victim reported the incident to the police but later withdrew his complaint following threats made by Travis, who then did not make contact with the victim again until 2010.

This time told the victim he had been left £1.7m by his mother, but the cash was tied up in trust funds and that he needed £35,000 to release the money.

On 14 July 2010, he transferred £35,000 into Travis’ account.

In October 2010, Hannon went to the victim’s home, threatened him and demanded £31,000, owed to him by Travis be paid into the same account he had recently paid the £35,000 into.

On 7 October 2010, the victim transferred £30,000.

Days later, on 13 October 2010, Hannon returned and demanded a further £10,000.

Travis was already at the address and the pair spent the rest of the day at the victim’s home drinking.

The next day they took him to the bank in an attempt to extract more cash from savings bonds. He handed over £150 then later reported what had happened to police.

Following his arrest Travis told police he had been staying in hotels and had spent the money on plastic surgery.

Detective Constable Dave Moran, of Stockport CID, said: “Quite simply Travis is a heartless conman who drew the victim into his fantasy world, making him believe his tall tales of rich heritage and wealth.

“He exploited the companionship and friendship the victim found in him to systematically extort from him his entire life savings.

“He even recruited his neighbour to threaten the victim in an effort to extort more cash and make his tales more believable.

“He is a shameless crook responsible for a truly awful crime and I hope the victim and his family find some comfort now he has been sentenced.”