Londoner sentenced to four years for £730,000 scam

A man has been sentenced at Inner London Crown Court to four years in prison for committing nearly £732,000 of fraud.

The sentencing, on 23 September 2021, followed a successful investigation by the Dedicated Card and Payment Crime Unit (DCPCU), a specialist police unit sponsored by the banking and finance industry which investigates the criminals responsible for fraud.

Paul Williams, 38, a former bank employee in Kensington, was arrested at Goresbrook Road, Dagenham, East London. He was found to have committed £731,555 of fraud by abusing his position within the bank to access customers’ bank accounts between June 2016 and August 2016.

The fraud was spotted by the bank and referred to the DCPCU to investigate the case.

Jason Bradley-Holden, Detective Constable of the DCPCU, commented:

“Williams acted with impunity and thought he could get away with committing nearly £732,000 of fraud.

“This case shows that anyone who is caught abusing the trust placed in them by their employer will be punished.”

Williams was arrested by the police on 18 August 2016, whereupon officers found in his possession a fraudulently completed CHAPS payment form and paperwork containing a customer’s bank account details. Upon seizing and examining Williams’ phone, officers identified a text message sent to Williams about a criminal who would be visiting the branch to undertake a fraudulent transaction.

CCTV from the bank branch where he worked identified a number of people purporting to be the genuine customers attending the branch and being served by Williams.

All victims were fully refunded.