‘MasterScam’ as star is ‘targeted’ by elderly couple

MASTERCHEF host Gregg Wallace has told how he was targeted by an elderly couple who have left a trail of angry investors hundreds of thousands of pounds out of pocket.

Businessman Harvey Langer, 85 and his wife Jane Lee, 76, convinced more than 40 people to hand over savings to fund their lifestyle. In return, they promised a share in a ‘£1billionplus’ payout from a mysterious Swiss trust fund.

In five years the couple have spent up to £1million living in a plush four-star London hotel and eating at some of the capital’s most exclusive restaurants – while ‘investors’, who handed over up to £270,000 each, have not yet seen a penny.

Now police fraud investigators are looking into a complaint about the couple made by a disgruntled backer. However Mr Langer, who admits his scheme ‘must look like a scam’, insists all is above board and says: ‘We’re not con artists.’

The couple say Ms Lee is due to inherit a fortune from her late father who she says was ‘a Singapore tobacco tycoon’, but in the meantime they asked for money for living expenses, including spending five years living in two rooms in the £250a-night Marriott Marble Arch.

Wallace was wined and dined at The Dorchester by the couple after they met in 2010, but the relationship soured when they asked for cash.

The presenter said he initially found the couple ‘utterly charming’ and that he and his fiancée of the time, Heidi Brown, shared several meals with them at exclusive restaurants such as Le Gavroche and the Waterside Inn in Bray, Berkshire. Wallace said: ‘They were the most delightful couple. We had some entertaining meals together, but after a while, I did wonder how much of the stories were true.’

He even invited the Langers to his and Heidi’s wedding in Berkshire. In return they offered him a luxury honeymoon with them in the Caribbean, travelling by private jet and on a 120ft yacht, ending at the exclusive Sandy Lane Hotel, Barbados.

Wallace recalled: ‘I said to Heidi that I didn’t really want to go on honeymoon with someone else, so we said “Thanks, but no thanks”.

‘But then they phoned Heidi and said, “Look, you know we’ve got this money coming, we’re temporarily embarrassed at the moment could you lend us some?” I said, “No, I’m sorry, I think this would impact on our friendship in a really bad way.” At that point we stopped being friends.’

Yesterday, the Langers insisted their fund would pay out. ‘Of course it’s a real trust,’ said Ms Lee, refusing to elaborate.

Mr Langer added: ‘I know it must sound like a scam, but honestly it’s not.’