Gambler’s luck runs out after bank error

An Oldham gambler thought his luck had changed when proceeds from a £1million bank fraud suddenly dropped into his account.

He blew more than £17,000 at a casino before police closed in, London’s Croydon Crown Court was told.

Jobless Hamid Arif (25), of Copster Hill Road, withdrew £17,700 cash in only two days following the windfall, which he later admitted he thought was too good to be true.

He pleaded guilty to unlawfully retaining a false credit, contrary to the Theft Act, but was spared jail.

Instead, he was made the subject of a 12-month community order, with a stipulation that he undergo 20 sessions on a “Thinking Skills” programme.

Mia Wellfare, prosecuting, said the Royal Bank of Scotland were victims of an elaborate £1million shares fraud on September 4, last year, and were tricked into transferring £290,000.

Two £48,000 cheques from that transfer were paid into Arif’s account on September 10.
On September 17 the defendant withdrew £2,700 and £15,000 the next day.

The Royal Bank of Scotland’s internal fraud department froze the account, scuppering Arif’s further attempts to withdraw cash.

He was arrested in Oldham on December 7.

“He said the cheques arrived in the post and he thought he had been very lucky,” explained Miss Wellfare.

“He told police he filled-in a claim form for a man in the street after a minor accident in 2007 and thought it may be a result of that.”

Arif, who has convictions for dishonesty, including theft from an employer, pleaded not guilty to the more serious charge of theft, which the prosecution accepted.

He claims he has turned over a new leaf since the birth of his daughter in January.

Recorder Jonathan Davies ordered the £500 cash seized by police when Arif was arrested to be confiscated.