A Lanarkshire man has been remanded in custody after admitting to charges involving over £1.3 million obtained through fraud connected to his wholesale drinks business.
Faruq Diya El Din Ahmad, 33, owned Strathmore Wholesaling Limited, a wine, beer, and spirits supplier in Carluke. Ahmad admitted possessing £1,338,535 obtained by fraud and arranging the transfer of £1,150,000 from his company account to a Dubai-registered entity. He also admitted withdrawing £30,000 of the money for personal use.
Prosecutors said the fraud traces back to a house sale in Hertfordshire in April 2016. An email, purportedly from the property seller, directed the funds to be transferred to Ahmad’s company account at the Royal Bank of Scotland instead of the rightful recipient.
Ahmad and his family moved to Dubai in 2018, but he was arrested in Greece in 2023 under an international warrant and extradited to Scotland to face charges. His defence argued he was only 23 at the time and “manipulated” by a man buying his business. Ahmad acknowledged he suspected the money was criminal but was not involved in a sophisticated scheme.
Sheriff John Speir deferred sentencing until March 20 while background reports are prepared. Ahmad, who has no prior convictions, remains in custody.
