Faith Leader Amongst Ten Sentenced For Property Fraud & Tax Avoiding Scam

Friday, 22 April 2016 14:39

Ten people have been jailed for a total of 52 years 9 months for their involvement in fraud in Stoke-on-Trent.

A faith leader who used his role as a "spiritual guide" to cover up a multimillion-pound property fraud and tax-avoiding scam was one of those jailed.

Ten of those charged have been on trial at Birmingham Crown Court for the last three months, defendant Mohammed Zabbir Hussain had already pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing.

One defendant was cleared of all charges at an earlier hearing (making a total of 11 people).

The case was investigated by Staffordshire Police, in partnership with HM Revenue and Customs, over a period of three years.

Mehboob Akhtar, known as Saint Pirwali Pandariman, aged 60, of Hartwell Lane, Stoke-on-Trent (pictured), was found guilty of cheating the Revenue; conspiracy to defraud; conspiracy to commit fraud x4; conspiracy to obtain a money transfer by deception x3; conspiracy to make an article for use in fraud.

He was sentenced to 14 years.

His wife Khadija Akhtar, aged 54, of Hartwell Lane, Rough Close, Stoke-on-Trent, was found guilty of cheating the Revenue; entering into an arrangement to facilitate the acquisition, retention, use or control of criminal property; conspiracy to obtain a money transfer by deception x2.

She was sentenced to 4 years 3 months.

Akhtar's daughter Rushbamani Akhtar, aged 29, of Hartwell Lane, Rough Close, Stoke-on-Trent, was found guilty of entering into an arrangement to facilitate the acquisition, retention, use or control of criminal property and conspiracy to commit fraud.

She was sentenced to 3 years 6 months.

Mohammed Zabbir Hussain, aged 46, of Castleton Road, Lightwood, Stoke-on-Trent, had already pleaded guilty to conspiracy to defraud; conspiracy to commit fraud x4 and conspiracy to obtain a money transfer by deception x3 at an earlier hearing.

He was sentenced to 11 years.

Abdul Wahab, aged 53, of Cottage Close, Lightwood, Stoke-on-Trent, was found guilty of conspiracy to commit fraud.

He was sentenced to 1 year.

Naqiat Akhtar, aged 41, of Cottage Close, Lightwood, Stoke-on-Trent, was found guilty of conspiracy to obtain a money transfer by deception; conspiracy to commit fraud and conspiracy to make an article for use in fraud.

She was sentenced to 3 years 6 months.

Alfan Ali, aged 39, of Farman Close, Stoke-on-Trent, was found guilty of conspiracy to commit fraud x3 and conspiracy to make an article for use in fraud.

He was jailed for 6 years.

Carla Parrish, aged 49, of Church Road, Blurton, Stoke-on-Trent, was found guilty of conspiracy to commit fraud.

She was jailed for 1 year.

Graham Lockstone, aged 49, of Wrington Lane, Congresbury, Bristol, was found guilty of conspiracy to commit fraud; making articles for use in fraud.

He was jailed for 3 years 6 months.

Mohammed Zuber Gaffar, aged 39, of St George’s Road, Preston, Lancashire, was found guilty of conspiracy to commit fraud x2 and conspiracy to make an article for use in fraud.
He was sentenced to 5 years.

Ch Supt Martin Evans, from Staffordshire Police, speaking after the sentencing said: "Today's sentences are to be welcomed and are the result of a very long and complex investigation by officers.

"Ten people have been jailed as a result of their involvement in fraud in Stoke-on-Trent and such crimes are simply not acceptable.

"Today's court hearing has attracted a great deal of interest from members of the public and I am aware that there was some tension at Birmingham Crown Court.

"Officers from our Local Policing Teams are working with our communities and other agencies to manage and reduce any tensions that there may be following these sentences."

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