Zainab Pervaiz, 25, pictured arriving at Birmingham Crown Court today, is facing jail for flogging non-existent concert tickets
A crooked student lawyer and England cricketer is facing jail for flogging non-existent Justin Bieber concert tickets to pop fans as part of a £10,000 scam.
Zainab Pervaiz, 25, who had also trained with the England football camp, conned would-be concert-goers into paying thousands of pounds in a ‘sophisticated and complicated’ fraud over 22 months.
She also pocketed cash from customers seeking Beyonce and Adele tickets.
The student immigration lawyer previously admitted 16 counts of fraud by false representation when she appeared before magistrates last month.
Today she appeared at Birmingham Crown Court for sentencing but the case was adjourned after her barrister requested a pre-sentence report.
On her way into court this morning, Pervaiz wore a smart black trouser suit and Ralph Lauren blouse and was carrying a Louis Vuitton handbag.
But following the case, she dashed away from photographers having changed inside the building into a pair of Nike trainers and tracksuit bottoms.
The court heard how Pervaiz used a PayPal account belonging to a friend’s grandfather, Sidney Bicknell, to take payment from unsuspecting customers.
Following the case, Pervaiz dashed away from photographers outside Birmingham Crown Court having changed inside the building into a pair of Nike trainers and tracksuit bottoms
She moved the money to her own personal bank account and when refunds were requested from disgruntled customers they were taken from Mr Bicknell’s account.
Prosecutor Mr Galhir said previously: ‘The biggest loss, of £7,200, is to Sidney Bicknell who trusted her.
The student immigration lawyer has admitted 16 counts of fraud by false representation
‘She never disclosed what she was doing to anyone until Mr Bicknell realised that something was going on.
‘She told him she was really sorry and said everyone would be reimbursed, but very few people were reimbursed.
‘Fifteen people have not been reimbursed and their trust was completely betrayed.’
The court how Pervaiz’s career in law was now in ruins after police uncovered her scam, which took place between February 2015 and December 2016.
She was also described as having ‘high sporting ability’ and had played for the England ladies’ cricket team and trained with the England football camp.
Amanda O’Mara, defending, said: ‘She is a law student who will not be able to follow her career any more.
‘She has high sporting ability having played for England and trained at the England football camp and played for her local cricket team.
‘She fully accepts her responsibility and criminal behaviour over this period of time.’
Pervaiz pocketed cash from customers seeking Justin Bieber (left) and Beyonce (right) tickets
Adjourning the case, Judge Simon Drew QC said: ‘This was an abuse of trust. The culpability is extremely high.
‘The victim in the case was extremely vulnerable and was manipulated over a sustained period of time.
‘It seems to me a full report from the probation service would be helpful as far as sentencing is concerned. I am sure you know, I make it clear that all sentencing options are open.’
Pervaiz, of Walsall, was granted bail and will be sentenced on November 15.