The group included The Only Way is Essex star Mike Hassini, from Brentwood, Essex, who received a 15-month suspended sentence and 200 hours unpaid work for money laundering
A group of fraudsters who helped swindle more than £400,000 from 30 victims posted photos on social media showing off their ill-gotten wealth.
The 12 individuals were involved in a diamond scam that used two different companies, claiming to make profits in the sale of coloured diamonds.
The group included The Only Way is Essex's Mike Hassini, of Pilgrims Hatch, Brentwood, Essex, who avoided jail for money laundering.
Pictures shared online showed other members of the group partying in clubs enjoying alcohol and posing with cigars, reports Essex Live.
Police received complaints in 2015 from investors who had been defrauded out of significant sums of cash by two companies.
The victims were cold called by people working for Bridgewater Associates Ltd and RSD Assets Ltd, which ran late 2014 and February 2016.
They were sent professional-looking brochures, purchase agreements and registration forms, sometimes even before they had agreed to buy.
When they invested into the diamond scheme, they were sent reports that gave details to show the authenticity of the specific diamond purchased.
To further trick their victims, the fraudsters used the logo of an established company in the USA.
When victims invested, they were told that their funds would be traded on their behalf in various different markets, including coffee and currency.
They were given password-access to a website where they could watch the progress of their trades and see whether they were making or losing money.
However, investors told police that when they spoke to brokers they believed they were talking to the same person but under a different name.
When victims made enquiries about their investments, they were often lied to or ignored.
Yesterday the case concluded with the last five members of the group locked up.
Detective Chief Inspector Lee Morton, of Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate, said: “This complex case has finally finished with the final defendant sentenced.
“The main players involved with this scam, Radford-Mathurin, along with George Herron, Samuel Jeal, Christopher Kirk and Rakeem Dixon, lived lavish lifestyles using the funds gained from their crimes.
“All five have been jailed for almost 12 years and will have plenty of time to think of their actions.
“The other defendants all played a key role in the fraud by laundering the cash.
“I would like to praise all the victims for their support during our investigation. I hope these outcomes offer some justice to you.
“I would like to also thank my team for their hard work over many years to help bring this case to court.”
The 12 defendants:
Timus Radford-Mathurin, 31, a broker, of Chelmsford, was jailed for 18 months for converting criminal property at Chelmsford Crown Court after previously being found guilty on Wednesday, November 14, following a trial.
George Herron, 26, of no fixed address, was previously jailed for two years and eight months after admitting two counts of conspiracy to defraud;
Samuel Jeal, 24, of Bromley, previously was jailed for three years and six months after being found guilty of two counts of conspiracy to defraud;
Christopher Kirk, 26, a broker, of Waltham Abbey, was previously jailed for two years and four months following a trial for conspiracy to defraud;
Rakeem Dixon, 25, of Harlow, previously received 18 months for money laundering following a trial;
Michael Hassini, 24, of Pilgrims Hatch, received 15 months suspended for 18 months and 200 hours unpaid work for money laundering;
Thomas Mead, 24, of Beckenham, received 12 months suspended for 18 months and 200 hours unpaid work for money laundering;
Christopher White, 30, of Romford, and Muhammed Bah, 29, of Eastbourne Road, East Ham, received 10 month suspended sentenced and 200 hours unpaid work for money laundering;
Amy Palmer, 27, of Orpington, received a 12-month community order for money laundering;
Nicholas Canty, 30, of Keston, received 8 months suspended for 2 years and 150 hours unpaid work for money laundering;
Peter Domokos, 40, of Hatfield, received 9 months suspended for 2 years and 200 hours unpaid community work for money laundering
Muhammed Bah, 29, of Easton Ham received a suspended sentence for money laundering
