Mum who laundered money freed from prison

A MOTHER of two who laundered money as part of a criminal gang to fund a lifestyle of long-haul trips with five-star hotel stays and luxury cars has been freed from prison.

Emma Jane Cummings, 31, was locked up for 18 months at Newport Crown Court in February after jurors convicted her of conspiracy to convert criminal property.

Cummings, from Penarth, was sucked into the sophisticated money “washing” scheme with her partner, Ebrahim Ege, 33, from Cardiff, who was given four years in prison for his role in the scam.

Jailed alongside them, for 18 months, was 35-year-old Aamar Aslam, of Cardiff.

In February, the court heard how the three had lived extravagant lifestyles with regular trips to Dubai, Abu Dhabi and other long haul destinations, often staying at five-star resorts.

The arrests came as part of Operation Dogstar carried out by the Regional Asset Recovery Team based in Bridgend. The investigation began in 2010 and enquiries were made throughout the UK and across the globe including New Zealand, Canada, India and Dubai.

Financial investigator Lee Jones, who led the investigation said: “People who engage in money laundering provide a service to those who commit crime by cleaning the cash. It can then be used and appear to come from legitimate sources.

“One way to launder cash proceeds of crime is to get the dirty cash into the banking system. Another is to use that cash to acquire assets such as high-value cars, or a house or flat.

“The prosecution case was that the conspirators agreed to do just that, the evidence showed that cash from unknown sources was used to purchase high-value prestige vehicles and a number of properties in the Cardiff area. On occasions third party accounts were used to hide the true source of cash.

“Direct cash payments were made for both the purchase of some of the vehicles and some of the properties.

“Ebrahim Ege started using a motor business called Edge Performance Cars Ltd located initially at Mandeville Place, Riverside, Cardiff and later at premises at Main Road, Tonteg, Rhondda Cynon Taff to launder these funds.

“His co-conspirators Emma Jane Cummings and Aamar Aslam used their bank accounts to launder funds and their names were used to register vehicles or property in their names in order to hide the true owners. Emma Jane Cummings was Ege’s partner at the time of the offences.”

The three were convicted after the jury heard the organised crime group was purchasing high-value cars including Porsches, BMWs, Audis and Mercedes. They also purchased a number of properties at Mandeville Place and Tudor Street and Mark Street in Cardiff and Gladstone Road, Barry. Many of these purchases were in paid for in cash.

The conspirators stayed in five-star resorts often jetting out to Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

Despite their lifestyle HMRC provided evidence that the conspirators declared very little legitimate income but laundered cash in excess of £500,000.

But both Aslam and Cummings challenged their sentences and judges at London’s Appeal Court substituted suspended sentences, spelling their immediate release.

Cummings, who watched the case via live video link from jail, sobbed as Mrs Justice Jefford announced the court’s decision.

Mrs Justice Jefford noted her youth at the time and the “devastating” impact of her imprisonment on her children.

Lawyers for Aslam also urged the court to consider his naivety and said his involvement was not motivated by greed. The court heard Aslam got involved “more through a desire for friendship and inclusion than for financial gain”.

Mrs Justice Jefford, sitting with two other judges, allowed the appeals and suspended the 18-month terms.

Cummings and Aslam will each also have to carry out 100 hours of unpaid work. The judge noted that the offences occurred nearly 10 years ago, also pointing to Aslam’s severe health problems and good behaviour since.