Morning:
10°c
Tycoon jailed for £45,000 fraud
15 Dec 2009A property magnate has been jailed after claiming thousands in benefits despite making millions from assets.
Shabbir Chowdhury, 46, claimed he was penniless and too sick to work while pocketing more than £45,000 in hand-outs between 2000 and 2004.
He purchased, and did not declare, eight properties for a total of £1.7million in that period. He also owned 50 per cent of a Tandoori restaurant in Battersea. In 2003 the father-of-four and his wife moved into a £500,000 house in Walthamstow, but said he lived at his previous home in Newham, and claimed benefits from Newham council.
The former postman's swindle was discovered in 2005 when he asked Walthamstow council for council tax exemption. From 2000 to 2003 he failed to declare bank accounts in relation to his businesses through which £1.8million had flowed.
Chowdhury pleaded guilty in July to six counts of making false representation. He was sentenced to eight months by Inner London crown court.
Reader views (6)
Sorry to nitpick - there's no such thing as 'Walthamstow council', as Walthamstow is part of Waltham Forest.
- Jim, London, UK, 16/12/2009 13:38
Report abuse
I'd happily spend 8 months in prison for £45k in cash! Is this supposed to be a punishment and a deterrent? Nobby is right, make him an MP.
- William B, London, 16/12/2009 10:26
Report abuse
Tony,
You are quite right. The confiscation regime under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 is there for the use in cases such as these. Although it might be hard to quantify the "gain" element over and above the £ 45K, particularly as he was very wealthy anyway if we used the HM Revenue & Customs penalty provisions relating to tax on undeclared income a 100% penalty, interest and the cost of his trial and sticking him in gaol for eight months, 300k would seem fair.
- Mark, South-East London, 15/12/2009 16:59
Report abuse
What justice, should not the gains made by this fraud be forfeited. I think so or at least a portion of them.
18 months would have been a better sentence and a forteiture of those gains he made whilst he claimed Benifits.
- Tony, Hove Sussex, 15/12/2009 15:15
Report abuse
I've heard that he is in line to become an MP at the next election - he obviously has the right credentials.
- Nobby Clark, Perth, the Scottish one, 15/12/2009 12:07
Report abuse
things are looking up again for mr chowdhury,in four months time the government will give him another grant,a discharge grant
- Scony, middlesbrough, 15/12/2009 11:49
Report abuse
