Con man sold hotel rooms to tourists
01 January 2000
A Con man who cheated tourists in London out of cash by pretending to fix them up with hotel rooms has been given a chance to "put his life in order".
Costas Mina, 34, of Enfield, north London, carried out three identical deceptions last year on tourists in the Paddington area. On each occasion he reserved a room at a different hotel before accosting tourists in the street and - claiming to be in the hotel trade - offering them rooms.
He then took them to see the room, persuaded them to pay cash, and left. He received £260, £230 and £140 from his three victims.
Magistrate Alan Baldwin told Mina that his actions were "despicable", but sentencing was deferred until 14 May. Mina, who has a gambling habit, was ordered to join Gamblers Anonymous.
