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Crime Solicitors

Jail for fraudster who conned council out of thousands by posing as supplier (18 April 2016)

Date: 18/04/2016
Duncan Lewis, Crime Solicitors, Jail for fraudster who conned council out of thousands by posing as supplier

A man who posed as a council supplier and defrauded Waverley Council of thousands of pounds has been jailed for two years and three months.

In April 2014, Matthew Charles Lowe – described as a repeat offender – posed as one of the council’s suppliers, Mears, and was paid a total of £233,400.92.

An initial payment of £115,589.57 was made by Waverley Council on 17 April 2014 – and a second payment of £117,811.35 was made on 24 April 2014.

The council was made aware of the fraud on 24 April 2014 – and within 24 hours, the police were notified, as well as the council’s bank and its external auditors, Grant Thornton.

The leadership and the Chair of the Audit Committee were also notified on the 25 April 2014 – and were advised that the matter was confidential and that the main objective was to recover the monies and secure a successful prosecution.

Until Lowe’s conviction, the council was unable to publish details of the case, as such disclosure would have breached rules around exempt information prescribed by Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1973.

After the fraud was discovered, a full internal investigation was immediately undertaken by the council’s Head of Finance and Internal Audit Client Manager.

As a result of the investigation, the council strengthened its procedures and how they are monitored – the investigation also resulted in appropriate disciplinary action being taken.

Grant Thornton was satisfied with the measures put in place by Waverley to prevent this type of fraud from happening again – and found the treatment of the issue in the council’s accounts were appropriate and in accordance with the Accountancy Code of Practice.

To date, a total of £138,696.96 has been recovered from Lowe’s bank account – and a further £69,703.96 has been paid to Waverley Council following an insurance claim.

Waverley Council says it is continuing to pursue the full, unrecovered amount it was defrauded of by Lowe.

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