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Football

12th Jan 2023

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

Steve Hopkins

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.