A woman from Gravesend, Kent, has been handed an 18-month suspended sentence for her involvement in a conveyancing fraud scheme that led to the fraudulent transfer of £70,500 from a home buyer.
Kimberley Abdul, aged 36, was convicted of concealing, transferring, or removing criminal property in connection with a conveyancing fraud. Despite her conviction, the primary perpetrators behind the fraud remain unidentified.
In April 2021, a home buyer in Hertfordshire was deceived into transferring £70,500 to a fraudulent bank account. The victim received an email, allegedly from their conveyancing solicitor’s office, requesting the funds be sent to a new account. Although the buyer questioned this change, they ultimately authorised the transfer after being convinced of the legitimacy of the two accounts.
Kent Police uncovered that the email was part of a sophisticated scam, with the funds initially routed into a business account controlled by Abdul. The money was quickly transferred to another account under her control, from which she spent over £900. Despite the fraud, the victim was able to recover their loss fully through their bank.
Abdul was sentenced at Woolwich Crown Court to 18 months’ imprisonment, suspended for a similar period. Additionally, she must complete 20 days of rehabilitation activity and perform 100 hours of unpaid community work.
Detective Constable Lee Preston highlighted the recurring nature of such fraudulent schemes, where criminals exploit knowledge of property purchases to mislead victims into transferring funds to accounts under their control. He warned that although Abdul’s role seemed minor, it was pivotal in maintaining the anonymity of the fraud orchestrators.
Meanwhile, amid efforts to combat authorised push payment frauds, HM Treasury published a draft of secondary legislation allowing banks to delay suspicious payments by up to four days. This move aims to safeguard against fraud, yet raises concerns about potential delays in legitimate transactions.
Rob Hailstone, chief executive of a conveyancing group, expressed apprehensions that the proposed payments delay could disrupt home purchases, impacting conveyancers, estate agents, and moving services. Delays could particularly challenge home movers, who may suffer significant inconvenience.
In related developments, the Property Lawyers Action Group has rebranded itself as the Property Lawyers Alliance. The organisation aims to support and uphold the role of independent property lawyers and safeguard the principles of land law amidst evolving industry pressures.
The sentencing of Kimberley Abdul underscores the critical role that seemingly minor participants can play in complex fraudulent schemes, emphasising the importance of vigilance in financial transactions.
