Fraudsters who attempted to swindle a 55-year-old Nigerian woman June Ashimola of her £350,000 (about N702.6m) property in the UK have been exposed by a High Court in London.
The fraudsters Tony Ashikodi and Ms. Ruth Samuel had faked the death of Ashimola with the intention of taking over the property in Woolwich, southeast London. Ashimola was reportedly declared dead in February 2019, sparking a protracted legal battle over her estate.
However, during hearing before the Court Ashimola proved to the judge Deputy Master John Linwood, that she was alive and being scam.
The judge ultimately found that Mr. Ashikodi, a convicted fraudster who served three years in prison in 1996 for obtaining property by deception, had orchestrated the elaborate scheme to seize her home.
“This is an unusual probate claim in that the deceased says she is very much alive,” Deputy Master Linwood remarked, describing the case as a web of fraud, forgery, impersonation, and intimidation.
“The root of this claim is a long running battle or campaign waged by a Mr Tony Ashikodi for control and/or ownership of the property.”
The Court heard that Ashimola left the UK in October 2018 and has been unable to return.
