A phony online car dealer who duped more than £1 million out of unsuspecting victims has had his own car seized.

The 32 year-old fraudster, Carl Carolan, from Sheerness received a 16-month suspended sentence in December 2020 after he admitted his involvement in a scam, tricking people into buying cars which did not exist but were publicised by fake online traders.

He was found to have earned more than £1.3 million but had only £5,924 in identifiable assets, which he was ordered to forfeit following a separate court hearing in April 2022.

Several months later, officers noticed Carolan driving his Porsche Panamera which the court was told was supposed to be scrapped as he could not afford to pay for essential repairs.

Knowing he had been subject to proceedings under the Proceeds of Crime Act and still owed more than £1 million, officers seized the vehicle which will now be sold at auction.

Detective Inspector David Godfrey, of the Financial Investigation Unit, said: "Criminals should not be allowed to live the high life after leaving prison until they have paid back everything they earned illegally.

"This particular offender was naïve enough to think his sports car would not attract the attention of local officers who knew who he was, what crimes he had committed and how much money he made through his criminal activity.

"I hope this case sends a clear message that Kent Police officers are relentless in their pursuit of illegally-earned assets, ensuring crime does not pay."