Claire Harvey, a 41-year-old woman from Canvey, Essex, has been sentenced to 28 months in prison after stealing nearly £450,000 over a period of 10 years from the high street bank where she was employed. Harvey, who worked for the bank, was convicted after investigators uncovered that between 2013 and 2023, she had made regular payments to 54 different accounts under her control.
Harvey was caught in December 2024 after detectives found evidence linking her to fraudulent payments, amounting to a total of £435,681. The thefts were made in small amounts, usually no more than £200 at a time. She was charged with fraud by misrepresentation and acquiring criminal property, with the latter charge stemming from the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002.
Detectives were first alerted to her suspicious behavior in July 2023, leading to a search of her home in February 2024. Her phone and laptop contained messages in which Harvey confessed to her actions. Financial records showed that Harvey had spent the stolen money on personal luxuries, including holidays, clothes, and entertainment. Over the course of her crime, she made more than 2,100 payments, spending an average of £3,500 a month on frivolous purchases.
Detective Constable Matthew McGarry remarked, “Harvey’s behavior showed a consistent pattern of deception. Had she not been caught, there’s no reason to believe she would have stopped.”
Harvey’s sentencing is part of Operation Henhouse, a month-long initiative aimed at tackling fraud, and highlights the ongoing efforts to combat financial crime in the UK.
