Conman scams best friends

A CONMAN stole more than £400,000 from his best friends in a spread-betting scam, a court heard yesterday.

Jonathon McCrae, 41, was best man at the weddings of two of those who invested in his scheme, which he told them could produce returns of 800%.

Bolton Crown Court heard victims were fooled into thinking their investments were making huge profits as they embarked on lavish lifestyles with foreign properties and fast cars.