Long prison sentences handed down to fraudulent East London letting agents

Key Points:

• Five individuals sentenced at Southwark Crown Court for letting offences
• Prosecution brought by Tower Hamlets Council’s Trading Standards
• Offences included fraudulent trading and unfair letting practices
• Victims included young workers and international students
• Companies involved included Citiside Properties, Flintons, Barrons London Ltd, and Roomshare Ltd
• Operation based at 220 Bow Common Lane, East London
• Mohammed Moynul Haque received 3 years 5 months in prison
• Other defendants received suspended sentences, curfews, unpaid work orders
• 40 complainants provided evidence, including SpareRoom platform
• Tower Hamlets Mayor Lutfur Rahman praised victims and enforcement teams

Five individuals have been sentenced following one of the UK’s longest and most complex Trading Standards prosecutions, after a rogue network of letting agents operating across East London was exposed. The case, led by Tower Hamlets Council’s Trading Standards team, culminated at Southwark Crown Court with convictions for 15 offences relating to fraudulent trading and breaches of consumer protection laws.

Who were the main offenders sentenced in the letting agent fraud case?

Mohammed Moynul Haque, identified as a central figure, was sentenced to three years and five months of immediate custody and banned from being a director for ten years. Haque operated multiple companies that orchestrated the fraudulent practices, moving large sums of money between personal and company accounts.

Fatima Begum, Haque’s then wife, was sentenced to a four-month prison term, suspended for six months, with a three-month curfew and a two-year director disqualification. She was found guilty of one offence of fraudulent trading.

Gonzalo Gomez Egea, manager of two implicated businesses, was handed a two-year prison sentence, suspended for two years, alongside 180 hours of unpaid work and a four-year disqualification.

Razaur Rahman Oli, operating under Barrons London Ltd, received a nine-month suspended sentence, a three-month curfew, and a four-year disqualification after conviction for fraudulent trading and consumer protection offences.

Nozir Ahmed, linked to Roomshare Ltd, was sentenced to a four-month suspended term, 150 hours of unpaid work, and a two-year disqualification following two convictions under consumer protection regulations.

How did the rogue letting agents operate?

The defendants ran a brutal cycle of fraudulent activities for years, deliberately targeting young people and newcomers to the UK unfamiliar with rental processes. Victims were routinely misled through false advertising on platforms like SpareRoom, tricked into paying deposits for unavailable rooms, or issued licences to occupy instead of tenancy agreements to deny them legal rights.

After complaints mounted, the companies would shut down operations only to reopen under different names, often still working from 220 Bow Common Lane.

What companies were involved in the fraudulent activities?

Complaints first emerged in 2017 against Citiside Properties Ltd, prompting Mr Haque to establish a new company called Flintons. Later, Flintons, trading under Flatsharing Ltd, became central to the investigation. Analysis of seized computers revealed links to Barrons London Limited and Roomshare Ltd, trading as Mayfields.

Despite Flintons ceasing trading in early 2020, investigations uncovered continuous activity under different business names, all connected to the same core group of individuals.

How did the investigation and trial unfold?

Tower Hamlets Council initiated raids on the businesses, seizing critical evidence such as computers and documents. National Trading Standards Tri Region Investigations Team supported the council throughout the trial, which began in April 2024 and resulted in convictions by November 2024.

Nearly 40 complainants provided testimony either in writing, in person, or via video link from overseas. Their evidence, along with submissions from the SpareRoom platform detailing repeated complaints about these agents, proved decisive in securing guilty verdicts.

What did Tower Hamlets’ Mayor say about the convictions?

Executive Mayor of Tower Hamlets, Lutfur Rahman, welcomed the sentencing as a major victory for renters’ rights.

He stated:
“Today’s sentencing serves as a strong warning to rogue letting agents and landlords that the council will not stand by as they flout laws designed to protect renters and put our residents at risk.”

Rahman expressed gratitude to the victims for their courage in coming forward and to Trading Standards officers for their thorough work. He added:
“This case underscores the critical need for rigorous enforcement of regulations and demonstrates our unwavering commitment to clamping down on rogue landlords and letting agents who act with disregard for the law in pursuit of profit.”

What are the wider implications for letting agents and tenants?

The case sends a clear message to the lettings industry across London and the UK that rogue practices will not be tolerated. Tower Hamlets Council’s success demonstrates the effectiveness of local enforcement teams, collaboration with national bodies, and the power of victim testimony in securing justice.