A mortgage fraudster who conned property buyers and investors into handing over approximately £650,000 has been jailed. 

Jaspal Singh Juttla, 55, from Northwood, was sentenced to five years imprisonment for 26 counts of fraud between January 2006 and December 2013.

He pleaded guilty to the offences and was sentenced on, Friday, June 13 at Isleworth Crown Court. 

Juttla claimed to be a mortgage broker who promised big investment returns to his victims if they invested in his property schemes. 

He would meet his clients - who were predominantly Indian and spoke little or no English - at locations across London. He would present official documentation like letter headed paper, invoices, receipts and agreements to his unsuspecting victims to disguise his elaborate scam. 

Once the agreed amounts were handed contact would immediately cease. On occasions, victims contacted him to ask what was going on, but Juttla would claim that the deal still needed time and that his accountant was ill or on holiday. 

On many occasions his victims tracked him down to his home address, but once he opened the door to them, he would make more excuses and provide them with further documents like post-dated cheques.

The largest single loss faithfully handed over to him was £100,130 by a Hindu pundit from a temple in Southall. 

A couple who worked four jobs between them for ten years to obtain £84,000 to buy a property also lost their money.

Juttla came to the attention of police in June last year following a third party referral from Action Fraud, who had been approached by of his six victims. 

An investigation was launched by detectives from Hillingdon CID and the Met’s Specialist and Economic Crime Unit. 

Juttla was arrested at his home address on February 25 and remanded into custody. 

Detective Constable Stephen Rothwell, Hillingdon CID said: "Juttla fed his gambling habit and need for luxury goods and cars by exploiting his trusting victims and stealing their hard earned cash. 

“He had promised members of his own community that he would help them to move up the London property ladder and build the best future for their families. 

“Many of the victims did not have the confidence to come forward and report Juttla's actions due to their minimal understanding of the property market, policing procedures and embarrassment about being conned. 

“Today's sentencing sends out a strong message the police and anti-fraud agencies will make every effort to stay one step ahead of criminals and protect unsuspecting victims. We will also use every power available to us to seize assets under the Proceeds of Crime Act and offer victims support and understanding."