Not such a smooth criminal! Michael Jackson impersonator jailed for planning £75,000 bank swindle Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2077609/Michael-Jackson-impersonator-jailed-planning-75-000-bank-swindle.html#ixzz1hIyI7CgO

A Michael Jackson impersonator used his day job at a bank to swindle customers out of more than £75,000.

Amar Clement, 28, who styled himself as the 'closest lookalike on the planet', stole account details and carry out fraudulent transactions with the help of three accomplices

Clement, who would regularly don a white glove and trademark Jacko hat to play to audiences around the globe, conspired with the three to commit a 'carefully organised and sophisticated fraud' which saw the gang launder the cash by trading used cars.

Guilty: Michael Jackson impersonator Amar Clement was jailed for stealing customers' money while working at NatWest

When not taking to the stage as the King of Pop, Clement worked as a customer services officer at a branch of NatWest bank where he used the computer system to get the details of dozens of account holders.

In total 101 fraudulent transactions and three attempted ones to a value of £75,222.86 were carried out using the details in early 2009.

Speaking at Oxford Crown Court William Eaglestone, prosecuting, said that at least half a dozen used cars were then bought over the phone from auto dealer Faizan Iqbal, using the customers’ card details.

The cars were then delivered to addresses in Iffley Road, East Oxford and Chillingworth Crescent in Wood Farm, Oxford, as well to homes in Slough, Berkshire, before being sold on for cash.

However, the ruse was exposed on March 11, 2009, when a third man, Mohammed Azim, aged 55 years, entered NatWest’s Cowley Road branch, Oxford, where Clement was then working.

He presented an identity document purporting to show he was one of the customers whose details had been cloned and asked to withdraw £12,000 pounds in cash.

Under bank rules, Clement, who served him, had to refer the transaction to a superior.

Clement (left) claims he is the 'closest lookalike on the planet' to the King of Pop

However, his colleague grew suspicious and telephoned the real customer to confirm it was not him who had come into the branch.

Clement, of Liddell Road, Cowley, admitted fraud, conspiracy to commit fraud and attempted theft.

His accomplice Azim, of Northern Road, Slough, admitted fraud and possession of a false identity document, while Iqbal, 22 years, of Lydford Avenue, Slough, admitted conspiracy to commit fraud.

All account holders had their money refunded by NatWest, the court heard.

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Clement was jailed for stealing £75,000 from customers in 101 fraudulent transactions

Felicia Davy, defending father-of-two Clement said that her client was pressurised into carrying out the offences and was 'susceptible to pressure or threats from others'.

She said he had gained media coverage after performing as Michael Jackson at a two-day event for underprivileged children in Poland.
He also boasted online of performing for the cast of TV’s Hollyoaks and in the USA, Spain, Greece, Cyprus and Carlisle.

Judge Patrick Eccles described the plot as a 'carefully organised and sophisticated fraud' and jailed Clement for 18 months and Iqbal for five months.

He gave Azim a four-month sentence, suspended for a year, with a six-week curfew and ordered him to pay £120 in costs.

A fourth man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was due to be sentenced next year.

Outside court, one of the victims said he was still worried that the fraud’s mastermind had not been caught and his address had been given to other criminals.

He said: 'It was a really bleak experience. It was the worst possible outcome to find it was an inside job.

'I hoped it was some electronic thing where someone had gained access from the outside.'