Crime Desk

An Iranian national who stole £40,000 in savings from a widow has been sentenced to 3 years' imprisonment at Harrow Crown Courtfor 19 counts of fraud after pleading not guilty.

The judge described her as a 'fantasist' and the courtheard that Luna Kordavani, 26, of Greville Rd London NW6 was introduced to the Iranian family from Pinner, by a family friend, after arriving in the UK in 2005.  She was desperate to find somewhere to live and rented a flat from the family.

Sadly the victim's husband became terminally ill and died, but during his illness, he told his wife that it was his wish that money that he had saved for his children's education, should be invested in an Iranian bank.

The victim, unable to come to terms with her husband's death, relied on Kordavani, who was now a close family friend to arrange the money transfer.  Instead she betrayed the trust of the victim and spent the money on funding her extravagant lifestyle, even buying the family gifts, claiming she had inherited the cash from a relative.

Kordavani also ran up tens of thousands of pounds in credit card bills and loans in her victim's name.

In court Kordavani protested her innocence, building her defence around fabricated claims of a lesbian love affair with the victim.

Kordavani pleaded not guilty to all charges.

PC Martin Greaves from Harrow's Payback Unit said: "This is one of the most despicable crimes I have ever had to deal with.

"Kordavani abused her position of trust and callously spent all the savings specifically left for the children's future education on herself.

"She has caused the family so much upset. Her claims have left the victim facing threats and abuse in Iran, her home country, where homosexuality is against the law."

Kordavani will now face an application by police to reclaim around £90,000 she made through her crimes under the Proceeds of Crime Act.