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01/07/2011
Man Guilty In Absence Of Attempted Fraud
A man who attempted to defraud and blackmail an 83-year old woman out of her lottery winnings has been found guilty on both counts at Southwark Crown Court, despite not being present for the trial.
Mohammed Bashiri, 40, met his victim more than eight years ago and initially asked her for assistance with writing letters as his English was quite poor.
The two became friends and when the victim had a win on the lottery in March 2006, she gave Bashiri money to assist him with paying bills and supporting himself. When she decided to stop these payments, however, Bashiri told her he was training as a law student and in January 2010, she received a letter from the suspect formally demanding a share of her winnings.
Between January 2010 and April 2010 the victim received four letters from a fake legal agency telling her that Bashiri had a right to a share in her winnings. The letters also threatened the victim with legal action and stated that if she refused to pay, then Bashiri would take the matter to police. The suspect wanted her to pay him a total of £61,800. She was threatened with potentially serving time in prison if she did not pay him the money.
In April 2010 the victim reported the letters to the police and on 22 July the same year, Westminster officers charged Bashiri with one count of fraud. A search of his home address uncovered a document similar to one sent to the victim demanding money.
Bashiri appeared in court and was subsequently bailed, however, he left his home address and has not returned or answered bail, breaching his bail conditions.
A decision was taken that the trial would be heard without Bashiri being present and on Monday 27 June a three-day hearing began at Southwark Crown Court. A unanimous jury verdict found Bashiri guilty of two counts, fraud and blackmail. He was sentenced to two years for each count, to run concurrently. He will also face a further charge for breach of bail when he is found.
Investigating officer, Detective Constable Mary Jane Paly Vera, said: "I am so pleased that this trial could go ahead, despite Bashiri not being present. His treatment of the victim left her frightened to be alone in her own home and hopefully this will give her peace of mind that he will not get away with what he has done."
(BMcN/GK)
Mohammed Bashiri, 40, met his victim more than eight years ago and initially asked her for assistance with writing letters as his English was quite poor.
The two became friends and when the victim had a win on the lottery in March 2006, she gave Bashiri money to assist him with paying bills and supporting himself. When she decided to stop these payments, however, Bashiri told her he was training as a law student and in January 2010, she received a letter from the suspect formally demanding a share of her winnings.
Between January 2010 and April 2010 the victim received four letters from a fake legal agency telling her that Bashiri had a right to a share in her winnings. The letters also threatened the victim with legal action and stated that if she refused to pay, then Bashiri would take the matter to police. The suspect wanted her to pay him a total of £61,800. She was threatened with potentially serving time in prison if she did not pay him the money.
In April 2010 the victim reported the letters to the police and on 22 July the same year, Westminster officers charged Bashiri with one count of fraud. A search of his home address uncovered a document similar to one sent to the victim demanding money.
Bashiri appeared in court and was subsequently bailed, however, he left his home address and has not returned or answered bail, breaching his bail conditions.
A decision was taken that the trial would be heard without Bashiri being present and on Monday 27 June a three-day hearing began at Southwark Crown Court. A unanimous jury verdict found Bashiri guilty of two counts, fraud and blackmail. He was sentenced to two years for each count, to run concurrently. He will also face a further charge for breach of bail when he is found.
Investigating officer, Detective Constable Mary Jane Paly Vera, said: "I am so pleased that this trial could go ahead, despite Bashiri not being present. His treatment of the victim left her frightened to be alone in her own home and hopefully this will give her peace of mind that he will not get away with what he has done."
(BMcN/GK)
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