Fraudster went from waiter to high life

THE mastermind of a “slick and sophisticated” personal injury fraud went overnight from being a waiter to renting a £1,300-a-month flat above the Hilton hotel, a court heard.

Irfan Mansoor set up North West Claims Ltd, a claims management company which conned solicitors out of £150,000 by inventing accident victims.

The 35-year-old — who operated the scam from his base in the city’s landmark Beetham Tower — has admitted conspiracy to defraud.

Three other people connected to the 49th-floor apartment deny the same charge in a Manchester Crown Court trial.

Safdar Ali, his girl friend Khadija Ahmed, and her best friend Vahida Iqbal, from Oldham, are all alleged to have played a role in the plot and were arrested at the property in April, 2009.

In police interviews, Mr Ali denied working for Mansoor. He said he went to the flat for secret drinking sessions.

Miss Iqbal, said she only “partied” at the flat. When asked by police if she thought Mansoor’s overnight success was dodgy, she said “I keep my nose out of things.”

Miss Ahmed admitted to police that Mr Ali had given her a key to the flat, but the court heard there was very little evidence to link her to the conspiracy.

The 21-year-old is accused of vetting bogus claims forms, which were backed up with fake passports and addresses controlled by the alleged fraudsters.

Mr Ali (34) of Dunley Ardwick, Miss Iqbal (32), of Bamford Street, Oldham, and Miss Ahmed (21), of Heald Green, deny conspiracy to defraud. (proceeding)