Michael Shaw and Barry McElduff secure acquittals in high profile fraud case
Michael Shaw and Barry McElduff, instructed by Yousaf Kalim of ST Law, recently concluded the successful defence of Mohammed Akram who was alleged to be a trusted lieutenant in a gang responsible for a multi-million pound ‘phishing fraud’.
Mr Akram was one of 13 Defendants who were charged with conspiracy to defraud and conspiracy to convert criminal property arising from the largest ever Metropolitan police investigation into cyber fraud.
The victims of the fraud included the client accounts of solicitor firms, communications companies as well as Burnley F.C.
Mr Akram was alleged to have played an important role, accompanying the main Defendant on overseas trips and on visits to Harrods where huge shopping sprees were undertaken.
Mr Akram maintained his innocence throughout the proceedings, advancing that he was an innocent dupe and had not played a willing or knowing part in the conspiracy. Following a 2 week trial at Southwark Crown Court he was acquitted by the jury.
Following the sentencing hearing of the other Defendants, press restrictions were lifted and more infomation about the case can be found here https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2016/sep/21/feezan-hameed-fraud-gang-jailed-11-years-southwark-crown-court
