Gary Robb, 52, [Pictured] of Teeside, and Founder of AGA Developments took payments from UK individuals to invest in his property development business.

However, he failed to build a single home on the Amaranta Valley development in north Cyprus and was arrested in 2009 after being removed from Cyprus. He was subsequently charged and sentenced to jail for five years.

After serving his time in Britain, Robb was sent back to Cyprus where he was imprisoned for 11 months for illegally using the land for his proposed development.

In 2012 SOCA, a precursor to the NCA, successfully carried out a civil recovery action against Robb which led to an appeal being issued for his victims to come forward.

After victims had been identified, NCA chiefs traced the investors’ cash back to Robb’s frozen fund at which point they filed a joint claim.

Now, Robb’s victims will share the seized £1.3million after a Proceeds of Crime (2002) hearing ruled against Robb, this marks the first occasion the act has been used in this way.

Commenting on the ruling, Donald Toon Director of the NCA’s Economic Crime Command said: “This case is the first time that this legislation has been used to both disrupt serious criminal activity, and enable victims to reclaim funds.

“Achieving today’s result has taken a determined effort over several years. The NCA will be patient and persistent, and will continue to use every tool at its disposal to disrupt criminals like Robb and deprive them of the assets they acquire through crime.”

Picture courtesy of the NCA.