Islington Tribune - by DAVID ST GEORGE Published: 3 October 2008
Bank clerk jailed for part in £500,000 identity fraud
A TRUSTED bank clerk involved in an “identity fraud” which netted a gang nearly £500,000 has been jailed for 18 months. University graduate Ruth Akinyemi, 23, formerly of New North Road, Islington, received less than £3,000 for “opening up” the accounts of Barclays customers.
She passed vital details of dates of birth and account numbers from the bank’s computer system to enable swindlers to pose as customers and transfer large sums of money to their own accounts.
Miles Bennett, prosecuting, said: “She was a key figure in this fraud and carried it out while working at two Barclays branches in the Enfield area. Only £15,000 has been recovered. “She was the woman able to access inside information about seven customers with substantial amounts in credit.”
Several accounts of Islington residents were raided, but the biggest loser was a woman doctor from Buckhurst Hill, in Essex, who found that £400,000 had vanished from her bank.
On her arrest, Akinyemi “made a complete denial of any guilt” and blamed other bank workers.
An Old Bailey jury convicted her of conspiracy to steal.