Bank Worker jailed for Fraudulent Computer Parts Scam

Bank worker Alkesh Patel, aged 31, of Great Horton, Bradford, was jailed for 14 months after he ran a fraudulent computer parts scam.

Bradford Crown Court heard that the £17,783 scam involved him fraudulently ordering computer parts and selling them online.

Patel abused the system to make approximately 187 dishonest purchases over 12 months to pay off his debts and help his family out of financial strain.

Judge Jonathan Rose explained that Patel would have continued to scam Lloyds Bank if he hadn’t been busted by chance.

The prosecutor Paul Nicholson said that Patel worked in the deeds, mortgages and services department at the bank’s Halifax head office in Trinity Road.

He was authorised to order equipment for the bank to a value of £250. However, when he bought an item that cost much more, he realised that no one was monitoring him.

Patel took advantage of the system when his family began struggling financially after his father became too ill to work.

He ordered a large number of computer parts which he later sold on the internet.

Patel was caught whilst on holiday when a parcel arrived at his address and had been tampered with.

Security staff discovered it contained Microsoft computer equipment that would not normally be required by the bank. An audit trail revealed the other purchases, all made in Patel’s name.

The bank worker was suspended from his job and instantly admitted the scam to the police. He pleaded guilty to fraud by false representation.

Mr Nicholson said that Patel was aware of when the security officers worked and he signed for the parcels himself, usually ordering an item a week.

The offence took place over a sustained period.

Emma Downing, Patel’s barrister, admitted that it was an unsophisticated fraud. He made no attempt to conceal his identity and the audit trail led straight to him.

Patel helped his family after his father developed serious back problems. His thoughts became “distracted and desperate”.

Patel, who was ashamed and remorseful, acknowledged his actions so that no one else was implicated.

Miss Downing said her client was of previous good character and had given his pension money to the bank as compensation.

She added: “This is the first and last time that Mr Patel will appear for sentence as a defendant.”

Judge Rose told the bank worker that he should have sought professional help for his financial issues.

He told Patel: “You are a man of ability and intelligence who has taken an entirely criminal route.

“It was pure luck that you got caught. You were going to get away with this because there was no system in place to make checks.

“The fraud would have continued if you hadn’t been caught by accident.”

Alkesh Patel received a 14-month sentence on November 26, 2019.

The Telegraph and Argus reported that a Proceeds of Crime hearing will be held in 2020 to recover the money.