text: Keith Cameron, pictured,  was jailed for five years for scamming his dying friend and neighbour out of his life savings . A conman has been jailed for fleecing a dying architect out of his life savings and using the money to fund his lavish lifestyle. Keith Cameron splashed out on a New York flat for his daughter and enjoyed a string of extravagant holidays while his victim's family have been left facing the prospect of selling their home. The 54-year-old scammed his trusting friend and terminally ill neighbour, Jonathan Speirs, out of £476,864 in a complicated ruse. He promised the world-famous lighting architect a £2million return on his investment in just two years, but it was all an elaborate lie. Cameron was today jailed for five years at Edinburgh Sheriff Court. But Jonathan's wife, Elizabeth, 58, said: 'My daughters and I will be dealing with the consequences of his crime both emotionally and financially for the rest of our lives.' Cameron stole the family's money and spent it on his extravagant lifestyle and a New York flat for his own daughter, who attended the American Academy of Drama and the Arts. Meanwhile, Jonathan's youngest daughter faces missing out on a place at her dream university in New York. Cameron persuaded terminally ill Jonathan - his close friend and neighbour for 13 years - to part with thousands of pounds by claiming his telecoms start-up required money to win a valuable contract. He repeatedly claimed the company was trading well and that Jonathan could expect a return on his investment of around £2 million within two years. Cameron, from Edinburgh, instead used his friend's cash to maintain a excessive lifestyle of posh restaurants and fancy holidays. Jonathan died of stomach cancer in 2012. His widow, Elizabeth, from Edinburgh, said Cameron's heartless scheme had stopped her daughter, Erin, 17, from following her dreams. She said: 'Keith Cameron deserved a lengthy prison sentence. I am glad the Sheriff chose to impose the maximum sentence on the fraud charge. 'However, no length of prison term will ever compensate for the dreadful crime he committed. 'My daughters and I will be dealing with the consequences of his crime both emotionally and financially for the rest of our lives. 'If Keith Cameron hadn't defrauded us, Erin could have followed her dreams. But we have to live with knowing that our money was spent on allowing Cameron's daughter to study in New York while my daughter can't. 'Despite having the academic qualifications and the ability to gain a place on this course, we'll probably have to turn it down because we can't afford the fees. Victims: Jonathan Speirs, a world-famous lighting architect, pictured with his wife Elizabeth, was persuaded to part with a total of £476,864 . 'This is so unfair and it's breaking my heart that I can't give her the education she has worked so hard for. 'I am struggling to come to terms with the depths of Keith Cameron's depravity now that I know the full details of how he deceived a dying man.' Elizabeth, a supply teacher, also revealed that Cameron had texted her asking to see her husband just days before he passed away in June 2012. Mr Speirs died of stomach cancer in 2012 after investing in his friends scam . The text read: 'Tell him I don't care what he looks like, he's a dear friend and that's all that matters.' Elizabeth said the family now faced being forced to sell off her home in Edinburgh where she had lived with her husband for 24 years. She said: 'It's still hard to believe that someone who, supposedly, was our friend could behave in such a cold-hearted fashion pretending to care about my husband and pretending to show grief at his funeral, whilst all the time he was knowingly spending our money on luxuries for his family - money we'd worked hard for. 'It fills me with horror to think that anyone could be so cruel and heartless towards a good, kind man but especially towards a man who was facing death. 'A lengthy prison sentence is totally justified.' Police Scotland Detective Inspector Arron Clinkscales added: 'Keith Cameron used his expertise and relationship to make his victim believe that this was a legitimate investment. 'To ensure that others do not fall foul of similar fraudulent activities I would urge the public to fully research any investment they are seeking to make. 'When considering making an investment, consider seeking financial and legal advice to ensure protection against fraudulent investments. 'If in any doubt, do not go ahead, and remember if it seems too good to be true, it probably is.' Mrs Speirs said she now faces selling off the home in Edinburgh she shared with her husband for 24 years. Pictured: Jonathan Speirs with Erin, Elizabeth and Lucie .
target: Keith Cameron, 54, jailed for five years after being found guilty of fraud .
  Scammed architect Jonathan Speirs out of £476,864 in complicated ruse .
  Cameron promised a £2million return for an investment to dying man .
  Now Mr Speirs's family are facing having to sell their Edinburgh home .