A Leicestershire man duped 24 victims out of large sums of money after promising significant returns on fake investments. Mital Mehta approached people across the county with promises of

profits from his protein bar business and the buying and selling of tickets to Premier League football matches. The 45-year-old met the first victim in 2018 at a pub where they began

chatting about football and betting before Mehta asked for money to invest. Police said the businesses never existed, and Mehta used the money to fund his own lifestyle, including his

gambling habit. One of his victims lost nearly £40,000 and was forced to close his successful business, leading to the breakdown of his marriage when his wife and children left due to

Crown Court, where statements described how one victim had to sell his own vehicles and company vehicles to pay wages before eventually closing down his business. Another victim, who

suffered from ill health, was duped out of more than £19,000 after Mehta promised returns that would help him provide for his family while he was unable to work. Leicestershire Police said

today (Tuesday, May 27) that when the business owner victim failed to receive any money in return, he challenged Mehta and was given various excuses, including that HM Revenue and Customs

had frozen his bank accounts. Officers said that Mehta showed victims falsified bank account statements to convince them the businesses were legitimate. 'MEHTA TOTALLY MISLED ME'

The business owner said: "I ran a very successful business and employed a number of members of staff. When I met Mehta he sounded very plausible and was good at gaining my trust. He was

very persuasive and showered me with gifts and took me to football matches. All of this made me think he was a genuine person and I had no doubts about his intentions. "I took money

out of my business to invest in his, thinking that the returns would benefit my business in the end. Mehta totally misled me, showing me his bank account statements which we now know were

falsified. I couldn't pay myself or staff – I had to sell my own vehicles and the company vehicles to pay wages. I couldn't pay my suppliers and eventually had to close the

business down." In a victim impact statement, they said: "These losses led to the breakdown of my marriage - my wife and children left me due to the stress and financial issues.

Friends and family, who I had borrowed money from, lost trust in me. The impact on me has been immense and led to my physical and mental health deteriorating. I am extremely angry and upset

to learn that I wasn't the only victim. I am hoping this case demonstrates to others the dangers and impact these offences can have." The second victim duped out of more than

£19,000 described how Mehta preyed on his vulnerability. He said: "Mehta preyed on my vulnerability, promising me a chance to still feel like I could provide for my family, feel worthy

and have a purpose in life. I was worried for my family in case my ill health took a turn for the worse and I wanted to make sure that they would be left financially stable. "I now know

that he was a fraud and unscrupulous. He took nearly £20,000 and promised me returns of £35,000. He spun me a load of lies about his life and his family and exploited me for his own gain.

He is conniving and has no thoughts for the impact his actions have on individuals and their lives." Mehta, formerly of Jamie Marcus Way, Oadby, was jailed for five years and three

months in prison after pleading guilty to 21 counts of fraud by false representation. The first report of his criminality was received in April 2021, with further reports of investment fraud

estimated to be in the region of £560,000. Detective Constable Sarah Askham, from Leicestershire Police's Economic Crime Unit, said: "This was a lengthy and extremely complex

investigation. The volume of victims who had been duped by the defendant was significant. The businesses never existed and Mehta used the money to fund his own lifestyle including his

gambling habit. Mehta had no regard for who he was targeting or what impact his actions would have on their lives. Many of the victims lost significant amounts of money which have left a

devastating impact on them and their families. "We are pleased Mehta admitted to the offences and we hope the fact that he now faces a significant time in prison makes him understand

the seriousness of his criminality. I would like to thank the victims for their patience and support throughout the investigation and subsequent legal proceedings, this hasn't been an

easy process for them but I hope they now feel that justice has been done." We are now bringing you the latest updates on WhatsApp first