Alick Kapikanya, a man draped in the allure of success with his tailored suits and chauffeur-driven limousines, lived a life of opulence in exclusive neighborhoods of Cheshire and Manchester. From sprawling riverside mansions to high-end flats, his lifestyle epitomized luxury. But behind the perfect facade, Kapikanya was a notorious fraudster whose criminal activities stretched back decades, accumulating 11 convictions including theft and fraud.
A Decades-Long Web of Deception
Kapikanya, who also went by the alias Alex May, was involved in an elaborate £3.5 million mortgage scam that targeted elderly homeowners. His schemes involved stealing the identities of his victims to fraudulently take ownership of their properties, remortgage them, and pocket the proceeds. Despite facing five deportation orders over 27 years, he successfully evaded being removed from the UK until this year.
However, at last, his criminal past has caught up with him. The Court of Appeal ruled definitively that Kapikanya, now 57, will be deported back to his native Zambia after spending 42 years in the UK.
A Life of Ill-Gotten Privilege
The truth behind Kapikanya’s riches is as shocking as it is reprehensible. Among his numerous properties was a gated mansion on Mereside Road in Cheshire, part of the area known as the ‘Golden Triangle’ and home to celebrities and footballers. This posh residence, which he owned between 2006 and 2007, exemplified the lavish lifestyle he funded with stolen money.
In addition to his properties, Kapikanya indulged in high-rolling gambling sessions at The Ritz Casino in Mayfair, where he reportedly lost vast sums in a single night. He also splurged on luxury cars, West End hotel stays, and limo rides, all while still maintaining the appearance of a respectable individual in high society.
Criminal Enterprises Unveiled
In 2014, Kapikanya was sentenced to six years in prison for his role in orchestrating a property fraud operation alongside co-conspirator Marshall Joseph, also known as ‘Mr. Fastcash.’ The gang targeted a total of 10 homes across the UK, using fake identification documents to pose as the legitimate homeowners and secure loans against stolen properties. By the time authorities uncovered the scam, the group had gained £3.5 million and was attempting to steal an additional £3.3 million.
This wasn’t Kapikanya’s first brush with the law. He faced his first conviction in 1992 for attempted fraud and theft, followed by further convictions in 1996 and 2008. Despite consistent rulings to deport him, Kapikanya repeatedly appealed and managed to stay in the UK for over two decades longer than authorities intended.
Final Deportation Order
After years of legal battles, including appeals citing his health condition and family ties in the UK, the Home Office finally succeeded in having the deportation order enforced. The Appeal Court judges definitively stated that Kapikanya’s case did not meet the threshold of ‘very compelling circumstances’ to prevent deportation. As of this ruling, his extradition to Zambia is imminent, marking the end of his long-standing evasion of justice.
While Kapikanya lived extravagantly, the victims of his schemes faced untold distress, battling to reclaim rightful ownership of their properties and rebuild their lives. The recent ruling has brought a long-overdue sense of justice to those affected by his fraudulent actions.
