Three names — but one man on wanted list
Reporter: by BEATRIZ AYALA
Date published: 19 February 2009
AVOIDING police — but under which name? Mohammed Ashraf Chowdry, Mohammed Tahir or Mohammed Ashraf
POLICE have named a man who uses a series of aliases in connection with a £250,000 sting at a bank in Yorkshire Street.
In July 2007, a man went into Natwest in Oldham town centre and claimed to have an account with the bank.
While there he managed to fraudulently access someone’s bank account and withdrew £18,500. A total of £263,000 was later withdrawn by transfer.
Detectives investigating the theft have now released a picture of a man they would like to trace — 41-year-old Mohammed Ashraf Chowdry — believing he could provide valuable information to the inquiry.
Chowdry also uses the aliases Mohammed Tahir and Mohammed Ashraf.
He is linked to addresses in Stockport, North Manchester, Tameside and Bury, but officers have not yet managed to trace him.
Detective Sergeant Darren Grafton, from Oldham CID, has appealed to anyone helping house Chowdry to come forward.
He said: “We believe that Chowdry is moving from one place to another.
“We would like to appeal to those people who have been taking him into their homes, and to Chowdry himself.
“He needs to come forward and assist police with this criminal investigation.
“This long and complex inquiry needs to be resolved and the substantial amount of money needs to be recovered.”
A 27-year-old man was arrested in connection with this incident and remains on police bail.
Anyone with information is asked to call police on 0161 856 8951 or the independent charity Crimest-oppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
