Karlette Skerman jailed after defrauding couple of £50,000 to spend on holidays and gambling

When a man and his late wife first met Karlette Skerman they didn’t know just how much she would go on to devastate their lives.

But Skerman, who got to know her two victims by renting a caravan from them, went on to defraud the couple and when caught showed no remorse.

Karlette Skerman, now aged 45 but who was 39-years old at the time, from Regent Street, Balby, (previously of Ingoldmells and Hogsthorpe, Lincolnshire), lied and deceived people who thought she was their friend. Lincolnshire Police is not identifying the victims, but they lent Skerman money and helped her financially, believing she would return the total sum of money she had borrowed from them.

In 2018 Skerman befriended the couple, having rented a caravan from them in Ingoldmells, near Skegness.

More stories like this delivered straight to your inbox - sign up to The Briefing here

She went on to do cleaning work and jobs to help the couple with daily tasks, while at the same time manipulating and lying to them to gain their trust. The victims came to view her as a very close friend, lending her money to help her. They sold their belongings such as houses, caravans and cars, they borrowed money from friends in order to help Skerman, believing she was owed some money and would pay them back.

In truth, Skerman spent the money on funding her lifestyle and that of her family. The stolen cash funded several holidays, meals, electrical goods, and gambling.

The fraud came to light following advice from a bank and the police were subsequently informed. When the fraud was uncovered Skerman fled the area but was later tracked down to Newquay in Cornwall.

What followed was a detailed and complicated investigation which uncovered the extent and details of Skerman’s dishonesty and deception. During her interview she denied her involvement but was subsequently charged with offences of fraud by false representation.

On the first day of a trial held at Lincoln Crown Court, in December 2023, Skerman pleaded guilty to two counts of fraud totalling a value of £50,000. She was sentenced last week to three years and four months in custody.

One of the victims died before the case came to court.

​​​​​​Sergeant Matthew Warwick, investigating officer for Lincolnshire Police, said: “This has been a truly emotive case with significant disruption to the victims’ lives. I am pleased there may be some sense of closure after what has been a long process which was delayed due to Covid. I wish the victim well as he rebuilds his life and can start to recover from something that has been desperately sad and life changing.

“Skerman has never shown any remorse for her actions, either throughout the investigation or the court proceedings, despite the significant effects on the victims and her own family.

“I hope this case will highlight how easy it can be for people to fall victims when they place their trust in unscrupulous people.”

Fraud prevention

Lincolnshire Police has reiterated how important it is to report crimes – including fraud.

In a statement, the force explained: “If you’re a victim of a scam or an attempted scam, however minor, there may be hundreds or thousands of others in a similar position. Your information may form part of one big jigsaw and be vital to completing the picture.”

Anyone who thinks they have been targetted by a scam or fallen victim to fraudsters can contact Action Fraud on 0300 12 2040 or contact them at Action Fraud.

Lincolnshire Police also has advice available on its website including a download called The Little Book of Big Scams.

Lincolnshire Police is unable to share a custody image of Skerman.