Policeman admits to pocketing £100,000 from fraud

A POLICE inspector who pocketed more than £100,000 in bogus payments and fake loans while working as a financial adviser is facing jail.

David Brown, 46, scammed thousands of pounds by setting up fake accounts in the names of investors – including family and friends – while still working for the British Transport Police (BTP).

Brown, of Motherwell, North Lanarkshire, carried out the fraud by applying for insurance policies for people without their knowledge and pocketed the commission paid out by finance giants Legal and General.

He had worked with the BTP since 1990, eventually becoming a £50,000-a-year inspector but, in September 2009, took on a second job with Glasgow-based financial services firm Ronald H Smith & Co.

However, an investigation launched after discrepancies were found in his accounts discovered 90 per cent of policies sold by him were lapsed, cancelled or had disappeared.

He was sacked in October 2011 and a police probe found 52 false policies had been submitted by him.

Brown, a married father-ofone, had been suspended from police duties as he faced the fraud allegations.

He appeared at Hamilton Sheriff Court where he admitted fraudulently accepting commission totalling £92,365.97 between 2010 and 2011.

Brown’s crimes were discovered when customer Anna Dunne realised unauthorised payments were being taken from her bank account.

Sheriff David Bicket deferred sentence until next month for reports. Brown was given bail.