Ex-Premier League footie star Richard Rufus faces jail for scamming family & friends out of £8m to fund luxury lifestyle

AN ex-Premier League footballer faces jail for scamming family and friends out of £8million to fund a luxury lifestyle.

Richard Rufus, 47, who played for Charlton and England under-21s, duped pals into investing in a dodgy pyramid scheme.

Posing as a foreign exchange trader, he lied that football friends, including Rio Ferdinand, had invested with him.

He spent the money on a Bentley and five-bedroom house on an exclusive private estate in South London, Southwark crown court heard.

His victims included his church, which lost £3.5million, and ex-Chelsea defender Paul Elliott.

Rufus apologised for losing the money but denied wrongdoing.

He was found guilty of fraud, illegal trading and possessing criminal property.

He was bailed ahead of sentencing next month but ordered to wear a tag.