A film producer who scammed almost £160,000 out of her friends has been jailed for more than three years.

Former Milton-under-Wychwood woman Lois Bhagwan, 56, persuaded friends and acquaintances from around the world – including former Fijian rugby international Mosese Rauluni – to invest thousands, promising high-rates of return.

The money would help support The Lionheart Project, a charitable initiative she claimed would help connect communities around the world. The scheme would also involve the production of a film and TV series highlighting the good works of groups across the globe.

The money invested between 2006 and 2010 – including by one woman, who invested her life savings in the project – was taken out in cash and spent by Bhagwan on the lifestyle of an ambassador, travelling the world meeting diplomats and officials.

In her papers, the defendant noted what appeared to be the contact details for the Dalai Lama and film star Kristin Scott-Thomas. She claimed to have given copies of the film script to Hollywood A-lister Denzel Washington.

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Last week, jurors at Oxford Crown Court found her guilty of seven counts of fraud. She was acquitted of three other counts.

Sentencing her to three years and four months’ imprisonment on Monday, Judge Ian Pringle QC said: “I accept in full this was not an enterprise which in any way started off as a fraudulent one but that over that period of time fraudulent offences were committed.

“In total you dishonestly obtained £159,813 from six different individuals or couples. Some of them regarded you as an acquaintance, some of them regarded you as their friend and they all totally trusted you. [One victim] regarded you as the daughter she never had.

“By your deception you let all of them down very badly, in particular [one complainant] who gave you virtually all her savings for her retirement on the basis that she would receive a much better return on her money than she could ever receive from any major bank of financial institution.

“Apart from two small sums returned to two of seven investors, they all lost their entire capital sums and received no interest.”

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Oxford Mail:

Lois Bhagwan's custody shot Picture: THAMES VALLEY POLICE

Mitigating, Nicola Howard QC said the convictions would affect her client’s ability to travel upon her release. She would also be deported to her native Fiji.

In a letter to the judge, Bhagwan – who had no previous convictions or cautions - asked if he could wipe the convictions from her record once she had served her sentence. She also asked to be allowed to leave the UK of her own volition rather than be deported.

Judge Pringle said he had no power to grant either request. “I have read your letter with great care and as I say I accept that you have dedicated most of your adult life to this project in a sincere belief it would better the lives of many, many people.”

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