An illegal immigrant lived the high life by using a string of aliases to con companies out of cash.

Fraudster Olufunsho Suleman had a mortgage on a luxury quayside appartment, drove a new BMW M sports car and wore designer clothes and watches.

Newcastle Crown Court heard the clever conman maintained his luxury living by using false documents to back up his bogus identities and obtain goods, services, loans and cash.

The 32-year-old's scam was uncovered when he carelessly dropped a blank cheque in a different name to the one he was using at the Money Shop in Newcastle in June and an investigation was launched.

When police raided his home they found his appartment kitted out with a Bang and Olufsen Tv and sound system, a wardrobe packed with designer clothes, Rolex Cartier and Tag Heurer watches as well as Louis Vuitton luggage.

They also found a stack of high quality forgeries including bills, bank statements passports and even an NHS payslip which he used to obtain credit from unsuspecting firms.

Suleman, also known as John Wright, Joseph Mitchell, Simon Robinson and David Scott, had operated scams across the country and had extensively travelled abroad using his false passport, even returning home to his mother's funeral in Nigeria and back.

He was enrolled as a student at Sunderland University.

Prosecutor Glen Gatland told the court: "He is obviously a very intelligent, skillful man and it is a pity he could not have used this otherwise.

"It is the Crown's case he is extremely skillful.

"We believe we no know who he is but there are no guarantees.

"He meticulously planned each offence."

The court heard Suleman, who came to the UK from Nigeria in 2000, had paid a £20,000 cash deposit for his BMW and a £10,000 deposit to obtain his mortgage.

Police found 31 separate cheque books, 13 different credit cards and two notebooks containing a list of names, dates of birth and salaries during the search.

In police inverview he admitted he had obtained in the region of £100,000 using his false identity scams and said he used contacts in London to provide the fake documentation.

Police seized assets worth £80,000 during the raid at his home at Quayside Lofts, Clavering Place, Newcastle, and have commenced proceedings under the Proceeds of Crime Act to find out if he has any more.

The court heard he has already been before the courts in the UK for dishonesty offences and has even served a three month prison sentence in this country before.

Judge Beatrice Bolton said: "He has been living on his witts.

"THe fact is he is a very, very skillful conman."

Judge Bolton jailed Suleman for four years.

She said; "You have never claimed benefits and there does not seem to be any evidence at all of legitimate employment."

The court heard Suleman is likely to be deported after he has served his sentnece.

Judge Bolton told him: "You have no right to remain in this country whatsoever."

Defence barrister Gavin Doig siad Suleman had used some of the cash to send to relatives back home, some to pay for his mother's funeral and some for his university fees.

Mr Doig said: "He did not use all the money to enjoy the high life."

Suleman had admitted fraud charges at an earlier hearing.