Yahoo News Fraudster stole £81,000 from Bristol media company for house deposit and car loan
A fraudster has been brought to justice after stealing around £81,000 from a media company that he worked for in Bristol. Muhammad Shafiq, 33, has been sentenced after stealing the money between January 2020 and June 2021 while he held a financial role at the business.
He transferred money initially to his own bank account and then to a company he set up. Avon and Somerset Police said Shafiq has since paid back the money.
Bristol Crown Court was told last Thursday, May 9, that Shafiq, of Wells Road, in Bristol, put the money towards a deposit on a house and to a new car loan. The 33-year-old pleaded guilty to one count of fraud by abuse of position.
Read next
He received a 12-month suspended prison sentence and was ordered to carry out 100 hours of unpaid work. PC Andrew Smetham, officer in the case, said: “Fraud is not a victimless crime. Even though the money was paid back, Shafiq’s actions were estimated to have cost the company somewhere in the region of £40,000, due to its own expenses and rectifying the losses they incurred.
“This conviction shows we will pursue fraudsters and seek to bring them before the courts for their crimes. We are now considering an application under the Proceeds of Crime Act to obtain any profit Shafiq made as a result of his offending.”
Want the latest Bristol breaking news and top stories first? Click here to join our WhatsApp group. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
