Back to the Manchester City Newsfeed

Fraudster who stole £120,000 from Premier League footballer David Silva and Manuel Pellegrini was only caught when ex-Manchester City manager had his card declined at restaurant

A fraudster who stole £120,000 from Premier League footballer David Silva and his former boss Manuel Pellegrini was only caught when the ex-Manchester City manager had his card declined at restaurant.

Jonathan Reuben, 56, posed as Spain international Silva, who is 31 - wearing just a cap as a disguise - to withdraw over £20,000 in cash from banks in Greater Manchester.

Days later, Pellegrini, 63, found out he was the victim of a £130,000 worth of frauds after he tried to pay for a meal and had his card refused.

Manchester Crown Court heard Reuben, from Birmingham, not only took £100,000 in cash from Pellegrini's accounts, but tried to pay for a £27,000 watch at the Trafford Centre using a card he had obtained in his name.