Man Sentenced for Defrauding In-Laws Out of £1.8 Million with Fake Football Business Deal

Edward Blackmore received a prison sentence after orchestrating a scheme involving a fraudulent contract with Paris Saint-Germain.

Edward Blackmore, a 45-year-old man from Holt, Wiltshire, has been sentenced to six years and eight months in prison for defrauding his in-laws out of £1.8 million through a fabricated business deal purportedly involving the French football club Paris Saint-Germain.

The sentencing occurred at Swindon Crown Court on a recent Friday.

In August 2018, Blackmore claimed that his company, OGC Sport Investments, had secured a multi-million-pound services contract with Paris Saint-Germain, a claim that was later proven to be false.

To enhance the credibility of his story, he forged a contract complete with the stamp and signature of a lawyer.

Using the deceptive contract as collateral, Blackmore acquired loans totaling £3.4 million from his in-laws as well as a finance company.

He secured an interest-free loan of £1.8 million from his in-laws, which he used to purchase a Grade II-listed property in Widcombe, Bath.

In a further act of deception, he faked his wife’s signature on a tenancy agreement related to the house purchase.

Over the next 18 months, Blackmore stalled on repayment to his in-laws with claims that funds from the supposed PSG contract had been deposited into the wrong account and that the bank had frozen the payment.

Despite his assurances, only £76,000 of a £1.68 million bridging loan from the finance company was repaid, resulting in the eviction of Blackmore, his wife, and their children from the purchased property.

Following the financial misconduct, Blackmore's in-laws reported the situation to Action Fraud, which subsequently referred the case to Wiltshire Police’s Complex Fraud Team.

Blackmore ultimately pleaded guilty to three counts of fraud by false representation, with two counts relating to his in-laws and one regarding the finance institution.

Statements from Blackmore's family revealed the emotional and financial toll the fraud has taken on them.

His mother-in-law expressed feelings of profound betrayal and a disruption of family dynamics, indicating that the scam had severely impacted their retirement plans and financial freedom.

His wife, who has since initiated divorce proceedings, described her experience as a devastating betrayal that affected their children, who she stated have also become silent victims of his actions.

She emphasized her determination to rebuild their future despite the financial and emotional upheaval caused by Blackmore’s deceit.