Aasim Johar, a 53-year-old salesman, has been sentenced to seven years in prison for his role in a £3.3 million cleaning products fraud at the University of Edinburgh. Johar colluded with Geoff Turnbull, a senior manager at the university who has since passed away, to execute a scheme that involved ordering and paying for goods that were often unnecessary and sometimes not delivered at all.
Despite denying the charges, Johar was found guilty at the High Court in Edinburgh of orchestrating this fraudulent scheme between 2005 and 2015. Judge Lord Lake described the crime as a “substantial and sustained fraud,” emphasizing the exploitation of lax financial controls at the university.
The court revealed that Johar and Turnbull acquired goods, hospitality, and vouchers, amassing £3.3 million in cash. Additionally, they attempted to obtain another £136,000 during the same period. Johar earned an 8% commission on increasing sales while Turnbull received various gifts and perks.
When police raided Turnbull’s home in 2016, they discovered Marks and Spencer vouchers, Tesco gift cards, and luxury items purchased from Johar’s employer, Universal Solutions International. Advocate depute Erin Campbell explained that the fraudulent activity began modestly but escalated as the pair grew bolder, ultimately leading to substantial personal gains under the guise of a legitimate business relationship.
Johar’s defense claimed that there was no evidence he benefited beyond the commission he received and argued that he posed a low risk of reoffending. The University of Edinburgh has initiated civil proceedings and Johar now faces a confiscation order to recover the proceeds of his criminal activities.
