A Harley Street practitioner has denied conning a fortune and a luxury car from a string of investors and private patients.

Syed Jameel allegedly posed as a heart specialist and an expert in anti-ageing treatment despite not being entitled to practise in Britain.

The 47-year-old, who is accused of pocketing more than £104,000 over 19 months, is said to have pretended much of the cash would be spent purchasing equipment and opening his own clinic.

According to a 23 count indictment read out at a plea and directions hearing at London’s Southwark Crown Court, he also pretended some of the money would be used to secure medical contracts with the Bahrainian Embassy in London and the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Health.

It is alleged that one of his victims, Glenn Stirling-Leech, not only lost more than £57,000 - including £4,000 meant to buy herbal medicines in Pakistan for his wife - but was also tricked out of his £27,000 Jaguar.

Another patient, Graham Wilson, was allegedly left more than £18,600 the poorer, while a third man, dentist Tariq Idras, was persuaded to hand over £10,000.

Altogether, Jameel, of Maple Road, Yeading Lane, Yeading, Middlesex, denies 12 counts of obtaining money transfers by deception, nine of obtaining property by deception and one of obtaining services by deception between August 22, 2002, and March 1 last year.

He also pleads not guilty to one charge of selling prescription-only medicinal products.

Judge Geoffrey Mercer told him his three week trial would start on November 7. In the meantime he could remain on bail.