Current timestamp: 26/06/2022 03:31:06
AgeAlertAnonymousAppealsApplicationsApply Or RegisterArea OutlineArrow DownArrow LeftArrow RightArrow UpAutomatic DoorsBack ArrowBusinessCalendarCashArrow DownArrow LeftArrow RightArrow Down[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-chrome' for 'English (United Kingdom)']ClockCloseContactDirectionsDocumentDownloadDrawDrugExpandExternal LinkFacebookFb CommentFb LikeFiletype DefaultFiletype DocFiletype PdfFiletype PptFiletype XlsFinance[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-firefox' for 'English (United Kingdom)']First AidFlickrFraudGive FeedbackGlobeGuide DogHealthHearing ImpairedInduction LoopInfoInstagramIntercom[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-internet-explorer' for 'English (United Kingdom)']LaptopLiftLinkedinLocal ActivityLoudspeakerLow CounterMailMapMap PinMembershipMenuMenu 2[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-microsoft-edge' for 'English (United Kingdom)']Missing PeopleMobility ImpairmentNationalityNorth PointerOne Mile RadiusOverviewPagesPaper PlaneParkingPdfPhonePinterestPlayPushchairRefreshReportRequestRestart[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-rotate-clockwise' for 'English (United Kingdom)']Rss[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-safari' for 'English (United Kingdom)']SearchShareSign LanguageSnapchatStart AgainStatsStats And Prevention AdviceStopSubscribeTargetTattosTell Us AboutTickTumblrTwenty Four HoursTwitterTwitter LikeTwitter ReplyTwitter RetweetUploadVisually ImpairedWhatsappWheelchairWheelchair AssistedWheelchair ParkingWheelchair RampWheelchair WcYoutubeZoom InZoom Out

Quickly exit this site by pressing the Escape key Leave this site

Skip to main content

Skip to main navigation

Welcome

This site is a beta, which means it's a work in progress and we'll be adding more to it over the next few weeks. Your feedback helps us make things better, so please let us know what you think.

Show me the site

northants-logo-7

Search this website

Main navigation menu

  • Report

    Back to Report

    • Crime
    • Domestic abuse
    • Breach of coronavirus (Covid-19) measures
    • Road traffic incident
    • Antisocial behaviour
    • Missing person
    • Fraud, bribery or corruption
    • Civil disputes
    • Lost or found property
    • Lost or stolen vehicles
  • Tell us about

    Back to Tell us about

    • Tell us about possible terrorist activity
    • How to tell us about something you've seen or heard
    • A procession or event you are planning
    • Filming
    • Abnormal vehicle load
    • Possible breach of coronavirus (Covid-19) measures
  • Apply or register

    Back to Apply or register

    • Careers
    • Charity collection licences
    • Compensation for victims of crime
    • Firearm, shotgun or explosives certificate
    • Register as an overseas visitor
    • Attend a misconduct hearing
  • Request

    Back to Request

    • A collision report
    • Intellectual property (IP) licence
    • Your fingerprints
    • Information: about the police, about yourself or someone else
  • Thanks and complaints

    Back to Thanks and complaints

    • Complaints
    • Thanks
    • Feedback about the website
  • Your area

Breadcrumb

  1. ...
  2. News

Fraudster who faked his own death while pretending to be his wife is jailed

Main article content

Navigation

In court

12:56 25/03/2021

A 50-year-old man who faked his own death and then pretended to be his grieving wife in order to defraud a friend has been jailed for 26 weeks.

In June 2020, Michael Robert William Cordwell, 50, previously of Corby, took on his wife’s identity and text a female friend pretending that he had died.

The friend was naturally devastated and also had immense sympathy for Cordwell’s “wife”, so when she received messages from “her” asking for money because times were hard, she obliged. Over a period of time, she sent more than £1300 to Cordwell.

The scam only came to a halt when police officers became involved and realised what Cordwell was doing. He was subsequently charged with fraud by false representation and this month, pleaded guilty to the offence.

He was sentenced to 26 weeks in prison for the fraud and an extra five weeks for breaching his conditions in relation to being on the Sex Offenders’ Register.

In their sentencing remarks, Magistrates said: “This offence is so serious because it happened over a period of time, upon a vulnerable victim, and you attempted to get her to delete the evidence. You have also struggled to display any victim empathy.”

Lead Investigator, PC James Brookes, said: “I am very pleased to see Michael Cordwell given time in prison for these offences.

“It was exceptionally calculated and deceptive to fake his own death in order to take advantage of the kind nature of this woman for financial gain – no amount of money is worth being so disloyal and dishonest to a genuine friend.

“I would like to commend the victim in this case who has shown great resolve in seeing our investigation through to the end.

“I hope when that cell door closes every night, Cordwell reflects on his greed and lack of humanity in order to ensure he makes better decisions when he is released from prison.

“The Management of Sexual Offenders and Violent Offenders (MOSOVO) Department strive to conduct proactive investigations into offending by Registered Sex Offenders and this is how Cordwell was brought to justice.”

Share

Is there a problem with this page?

Footer navigation

We use cookies on this site to give you a better, more personalised experience.

I'm fine with cookies I'd like to manage the cookies

Northamptonshire Police

  • Contact us
  • About us
  • News
  • Careers
  • Campaigns
  • Privacy notice
  • Cookies
  • Terms and conditions
  • Accessibility

Information and services

  • Advice and information
  • Crime prevention
  • Stats and data
  • Accessing information (FOI)
  • Report
  • Tell us about
  • Apply or register
  • Request
  • Thanks and complaints

Partners

  • Police.uk
  • Ask the Police
  • Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner

Follow us on

© Copyright 2022. All rights reserved.