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Conman sells 'Olympic' land for £50,000 a time
Justin Davenport, Crime Correspondent12 Oct 2007
Police are hunting a fraudster who is selling off "Olympic" land.
Kevin Castle is wanted by at least three police forces for a range of offences.
In his latest trick he is offering packages of land in London for £50,000 claiming buyers will make a profit when the sites are compulsorily purchased by the Olympic authorities for the 2012 Games.
The 42-year-old is believed to be living a millionaire lifestyle in London, enjoying lunches at hotels and driving Porsches and Jaguars. His last known address was a £1,000-a-week flat in Knightsbridge.
Castle is wanted by police in Lancashire, Manchester and Nottingham in connection with money laundering, shoplifting and identity fraud.
Detective Constable Anita Fishwick of Lancashire Police said: "Castle is very plausible, a real likeable rogue who is able to move in high society. He is known to frequent hotels such as the Ritz, Claridge's and the Dorchester and always wears designer clothes such as Armani and Versace. He has been active for 20 years and has convictions for theft and fraud."
Police say Castle is claiming to be a company director - with a firm called 1st Global Enterprises - a property developer and an electrical engineer and alarm fitter. He has used the company name to hire cars which are rarely paid for.
He also steals equipment from hardware stores such as Homebase and then returns them demanding cash refunds. In one five-day spree he gained more than £3,000 doing this.
Castle has brown receding hair and is about 5ft 5in tall - although he is also known to wear blocks in his shoes so he could appear to be 5ft 7in.
Anyone with information should call Lancashire police on 01772 416112.
