Man jailed after faking kidnap in bid to swindle £1,000 from ex-girlfriend

Mohammed Kahn even sent pictures on a mobile phone to his partner showing fake injuries created with make-up to back up his story.

The 33-year-old's story was rumbled when he asked for a further four-figure sum from his girlfriend, who then told police.

Officers turned up at Kahn's home and uncovered his plot.

Appearing at Wolverhampton Crown Court, Kahn, of Rugeley Road in Burntwood, was jailed for four months after admitting fraud.

Judge Nicholas Webb said: "I regard this as a mean, cynical and nasty offence against an emotional victim."

Mr Andrew Keogh, prosecuting, said the faked kidnapping took place over five days in October last year.

Text messages were sent to the man's girlfriend claiming that Kahn had been kidnapped and she needed to pay £1,200 for his release.

The text messages included threats Kahn would be hurt and picture messages of fake injuries.

He said: "The complainant was sceptical, but in the end on October 13, the complainant came to the conclusion that there was something in it."

Mr Keogh said the victim used £200 of her own money and borrowed £1,000 from a friend to pay a man.

But Kahn continued his ploy, sending the woman another text message demanding a further £1,500 for his release.

She then alerted police. Mr Keogh said: "The police attended the defendant's home and found him unharmed and in possession of the mobile phone. He was arrested and said he was forced to send the text messages from two men."

Mr Neil Skinner, defending, said: "This is an unusual offence." He added: "He did owe people money and there was alot of pressure to pay those people back.

"What he did then was use his position in his relationship to obtain money in the way he accepts he did.

"Maybe he could have asked her for it."

Mr Skinner said the couple had now split up. He said his client had problems with alcohol he was now attempting to address. Sentencing Kahn, Judge Webb said: "You are 33, you are aware she seems to have liked you and you know that and took advantage of that emotionally in a cynical way.

"This had gone on for a little while, but then at the time of this offence in October last year you come up with a different idea and told her a number of lies about yourself that you had been kidnapped and were being threatened with violence and subject to violence."