Guest Info
Saqib Mumtaz, a former British fraudster, gained infamy through his involvement in a prominent scam during the 1990s. Collaborating with three associates and assisted by an insider at American Express, Mumtaz engaged in a lucrative enterprise centred around credit card fraud. Eventually, he orchestrated the theft of £2,000,000 worth of diamonds from a prestigious American jeweller in 1996.
Despite enjoying considerable success in credit card fraud, Mumtaz succumbed to the temptation of one final audacious act. This transgression took the form of a $2 million jewellery heist, executed by impersonating the ‘world’s richest man’ at the time, the Prince of Brunei. Mumtaz and his cohorts successfully deceived Bijan in Beverly Hills into believing that the Prince of Brunei was placing an order for jewels to be sent to London. They acquired the diamonds in Manchester. However, their criminal activities came to an end a year later when voice analysis of the jeweller’s tapes and scrutiny of mobile phone records implicated all four men.
The cinematic portrayal of Mumtaz’s life unfolds in the British film “Plastic,” featuring performances by Alfie Allen, Ed Speleers, and Will Poulter. In a positive turn, Saqib Mumtaz has since dedicated himself to mentoring young children.
About the Show
In the latest episode of “My Thoughts Exactly,” Rajan Nazran welcomes Saqib Mumtaz, a man whose name echoes in the history of the UK for orchestrating one of the most daring diamond heists, earning him a spot in the Daily Mirror’s esteemed “Top 10 Scams of All Times.”
Saqib shares his journey through the gritty underworld of 1990s UK—a time marked by gun crime, drugs, and gang warfare. He candidly unfolds the chapters of his life, delving into the allure of credit card fraud. In the midst of this gripping narrative, Saqib Mumtaz offers a unique perspective, suggesting that, ironically, some governments, often seen as extremists, can themselves be labelled as criminals.
But there’s more to this talk than just the heist and crime stories. Saqib makes us think about how crimes were seen in the 1990s in the UK, especially when it involved people from Asian backgrounds. This discussion invites us to reflect on broader themes such as data privacy, the pitfalls of unchecked greed, and the transformative power of education.
Make sure to check out this episode—it’s a simple yet powerful journey into life’s ups and downs, crime, and how society sees things!
Produced by Global Indian Series for the Global Indian Network.
Script by Rajan Nazran
original idea: Rajan Nazran
Introduction music: (https://freesound.org/people/SilverIllusionist)
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