Woman found guilty of £440,000 fraud
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Pictured: Susan Goose
A woman who duped seven victims out of nearly half a million pounds has been jailed for six years.
Susan Goose, aged 63 and of Wycliffe Road, Norwich appeared at Norwich Crown Court on Friday (26 April 2024) having previously pleaded guilty to five counts of fraud by false representation. The convictions relate to a number of incidents between 2011 and 2024, in which Goose convinced multiple individuals to lend her large amounts of money, without any intention of repaying them.
Goose approached the majority of her victims in pubs across Norwich. She would befriend them, often telling a story about how she needed funds to pay legal fees in a civil case over inheritance allegedly owed to her.
To build trust with her victims, Goose falsified documents including emails and claim forms. She showed her victims items from her alleged solicitor, the bank and the high court she said was handling her case.
Goose’s offending was uncovered when one of her victims found themselves in considerable debt due to the money they had lent to her. The victim lost their home, business and all of their assets and became the subject of an Individual Voluntary Arrangement. Their situation was brought to the attention of Action Fraud and referred to Broadland CID within Norfolk Police.
Goose was arrested on 5 January 2024 on suspicion of fraud and later released on bail. She was further arrested on 16 February 2024 once more victims had been identified and was charged with five counts of fraud by false representation.
Following her arrest, a search of Goose’s address was completed. No correspondence or documentation relating to any civil court case was found. Multiple courts were also contacted to see if Goose was a claimant or defendant but again, no record was found.
Officers looking into Goose’s financial record found over 2,600 payments to online gambling websites. It is estimated that Goose had spent in excess of £130,000.
At sentencing on Friday (26 April 2024), Susan Goose asked for two further offences, also frauds by false by false representation, to be taken into consideration and was sentenced to a total of six years in prison.
Investigating officer, DC Dave Block said: “Goose’s offending was a gross abuse of trust and an example of exploitation at its worst.
“She has shown no remorse throughout this case. Her propensity for dishonesty and the longevity and extent of her ruthlessness is staggering.
“I am proud of each of her victims for bravely assisting with this investigation. I hope that this sentence provides them with a level of closure and that they can begin to rebuild their lives.