Ex-Premier League star jailed for defrauding £15m out of friends and family

Richard Rufus claimed to be a successful foreign exchange trader

A former Premier League star has been jailed after defrauding family and out of £15 million. Ex-Charlton Athletic player Richard Rufus was on Thursday jailed for seven-and-a-half years. Rufus had claimed to be a successful foreign exchange trader and convinced victims to invest in his "low-risk" scheme. The 47-year-old was found guilty of fraud, money laundering and carrying out a regulated activity without authorisation at Southwark Crown Court on Thursday. Rufus used £7m of the total sum to pay back investors in a pyramid scheme, while around £2m was used for his own purposes. The centre-back enjoyed the “trappings of wealth" and drove a flash Bentley and wore a Rolex. This is a breaking news story. More to follow.