Two men from East London have been sentenced at Southwark Crown Court to a combined nine-and-a-half years in prison for opening fraudulent bank accounts used to launder money from fraud.
The sentencing follows an extensive investigation by the Dedicated Card and Payment Crime Unit (DCPCU), a specialist banking industry-sponsored police unit.
Between 2017 and 2019, Jan Ciecierski and Rukon Miah, both 39, opened 394 fraudulent business accounts used to launder money obtained through fraudulent schemes. Miah, who worked as a Business Manager at the bank, and Ciecierski, who supplied counterfeit documents for opening these accounts, facilitated the laundering of funds from various frauds. The money was then funneled through the accounts, cashed out, or sent to offshore banks.
The fraud primarily targeted UK and international companies, including charities and individuals.
Miah, who had worked at the bank for six years, was arrested in 2019 for conspiracy to defraud the bank. Ciecierski’s involvement in the operation came to light when Miah provided him with names, addresses, ID documents, and counterfeit utility bills used to open the fraudulent accounts.
In total, the pair stole approximately £7.3 million, which was laundered through the accounts.
Police investigators discovered key evidence, such as ID cards, bank cards, cheque books, and counterfeit bills, all matching the fraudulent accounts linked to Miah and Ciecierski. These items, found at the men’s home addresses, confirmed their role in the criminal activities.