A FRAUDSTER whose crimes reached as far as the Middle East and caused a combined loss of £1.4m to his victims has been jailed for eight years.

Paul Lamb, also known as Paul Clarke, made false claims regarding the capabilities and successes of his company, IMS Ltd, in order to secure large investments from private investors.

The company, which supplied and fitted WiFi systems, was in fact experiencing financial difficulties, and Lamb used the investments to pay off his debts, pay off other investors, and fund his lavish lifestyle.

Among the false representations made by Lamb were that his company had large orders in both the UK and Middle East, supported by false invoices and making false Bank Payment Orders claiming large equipment orders to carry out the non-existent orders.

The 43-year-old also falsely claimed that his company had exclusive rights to install a certain type of WiFi equipment in Europe and the Middle East and gave guarantees of a quick and substantial profit for investments, which was impossible to deliver.

Lamb furthermore falsely said he owned outright a £249,000 holiday home that would be surety for investors.

Lamb, lived in Houghton-le-Spring, when he was initially arrested by Durham Constabulary officers in August 2014 in relation to fraud offences. He later moved to Tullibody, Clackmannanshire, in Scotland.

Due to the complex nature of the investigation, it was then allocated to NERSOU (North East Region Special Operations Unit).

Following a lengthy investigation, he appeared at Carlisle Crown Court, where he pleaded guilty to all 25 counts on the indictment of fraud by false representation.

On Monday, he was sentenced to eight years imprisonment. The case was adjourned for a future Proceeds of Crime Application and Serious Crime Prevention Order Application.

Detective Inspector Alan Turner, from NERSOU, said: “This has been a very complex case, with evidence being obtained from the USA, Belgium, Middle East, and all over the UK.

“Without the victims and witnesses coming forward and assisting us in our investigations, this conviction would not have been possible. We’re very grateful for their cooperation throughout.”