Accountancy Magazine
Accountant admits attempted fraud
Asif Haque stole more than £350,000 from OFT
09 March 2010
A former accountant at the Office of Fair Trading has admitted he attempted to steal more than £350,000 of public money from his government employer.
Asif Haque pleaded guilty yesterday at Southwark Crown Court to 11 counts of fraud and one count of concealing, disguising or transferring criminal property.
The 38-year-old admitted he set up a fictitious company called Data Logic UK and then signed off invoices for IT work he fraudulently claimed had been carried out for the OFT.
Between February and July 2008 he submitted invoices totalling more than £350,000 and transferred around £250,000 to his girlfriend’s bank account, the Press Association reported.
Recorder Catherine Newman QC said sentencing was adjourned for reports until 31 March. Haque was granted bail but was told all options, including jail, remain open.
Asif Haque pleaded guilty yesterday at Southwark Crown Court to 11 counts of fraud and one count of concealing, disguising or transferring criminal property.
The 38-year-old admitted he set up a fictitious company called Data Logic UK and then signed off invoices for IT work he fraudulently claimed had been carried out for the OFT.
Between February and July 2008 he submitted invoices totalling more than £350,000 and transferred around £250,000 to his girlfriend’s bank account, the Press Association reported.
Recorder Catherine Newman QC said sentencing was adjourned for reports until 31 March. Haque was granted bail but was told all options, including jail, remain open.
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