Richard Lester, 56, jailed for five years after scamming cruise vouchers from 180+ victims, stealing over £400k.
Over 180 people worldwide were victims. They thought they got cheap “cruise miles.” Many never got their cruises booked, and some learned this at the port. They were turned away from their cruises.
The needed “miles” rose quickly. Victims got angry and reported the scam. Essex Police started investigating in July 2013. Lester was later found guilty in December 2024. He committed fraud and hid money.
He started a website called “Cruisevoucher” in 2009. People bought vouchers for future cruises. The money paid for past customers’ cruises. This worked like a pyramid scheme.
In 2011, he changed his business. The new name was “Cruisemiles.” He stopped booking cruises for people, kept their money, and changed voucher values.
He stole £402,540.29 from 184 people over three years. His own agents lost money too, earning commission from selling miles. They could not get their money back.
A police officer, Leanne Smith, investigated Lester since 2014. She said justice happened, but victims still suffer. They lost thousands of pounds, and Lester spent their money on himself.
He denied his guilt for a long time. The evidence against him was too strong. He used many bank accounts to hide the stolen money. Police gathered many statements from victims.