Fraudster Natalie Chamberlain jailed for scam in Sheringham

Natalie Chamberlain specialised in theft and deceit as she pulled off scams on people in Norfolk over the past six years.

The 40-year-old used various aliases including a cancer victim, Natalie Rivers, an admin assistant for Yorkshire-based husky charity and Natalie Collins an army veteran.

Chamberlain's latest scam involved an "elaborate" tenancy fraud scheme. 

READ MORE: How serial conwoman Natalie Rivers stole thousands from those she befriended

After renting a property in Sheringham in December 2022, she was due to pay £1,036 on January 7, 2023, and a normal month's rent on February 7, 2023, of £850.

Instead, Chamberlain made two more victims of a couple who, after viewing the property, signed the rental agreement and sent her £1,900 - with more money sent to cover the TV licence.

However, just as they were due to move in Chamberlain, who previously lived in Costessey, claimed they could not as the roof had fallen in.

When a family member went to the house to check, he found somebody completely different living at the property - another victim who had signed a contract and paid £1,800.

Chamberlain was jailed for 20 months for theft in 2018 (Image: Norfolk Constabulary)

During these interactions, Chamberlain would lie about being a paramedic having illnesses, family illnesses and being in the army to lure her victims in.

In court, the legitimate landlord who saw none of the money, said: "The first thing that Natalie ever said to me was ‘I have stage three stomach cancer’. This was the hook that she used to catch me.

“I had been diagnosed with stage three endometrial cancer two months earlier and was about to start chemotherapy.

“I tried to help Natalie because I sympathised with her, I allowed her into my home, something that I never do as I value my privacy.

“When I discovered that I had been conned by Natalie and lied to using the most grotesque excuse, I felt a myriad of emotions; embarrassment, shame, anxiety and depression.

READ MORE: The many lives of serial Norfolk conwoman Natalie Rivers

“This continued during four months of chemotherapy and I could not and still cannot believe that somebody could be so cruel.”

Currently in HMP Bronzefield, Chamberlain appeared at Hendon Crown Court on Friday, April 26, when she admitted to nine charges related to tenancy fraud and faking documents in Sheringham last year, and one count of possessing an article for use in fraud in Pagham, West Sussex.

She was sentenced to 16 months in prison for the Norfolk frauds and a further nine months which related to a Metropolitan Police case for theft in a house linked to a fraud – 25 months in total.

PC Victoria Sweetland said: "Natalie Chamberlain took advantage of the situation using people's vulnerabilities to make a gain for herself with no thought given to her victims.

"I hope the sentence will bring some peace to the victims, after all the deceit and stress they have endured."