Kwabena Duodu, a former accountant for a national children’s charity, has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for stealing £1.5 million through fraudulent Gift Aid claims. Duodu, 51, from Loughton, Essex, used his inside knowledge of the sector to exploit the system, working with accomplices to submit false claims.
Duodu conspired with Moses Asare, a 57-year-old preacher and head pastor of Praise Harvest Community Church. Asare manipulated the trust of other churches, including his own, to make false Gift Aid claims on their behalf. The operation involved ten evangelical churches across London’s north and east, with Duodu using their details to submit fraudulent claims.
Duodu used his ill-gotten gains to purchase a £550,000 house and sent a portion of the money to Asare, who was also convicted. Asare was jailed for seven years. He had received £320,000 from Duodu and even turned to loan sharking, charging church members up to 120% interest.
John Quansah, 43, the head pastor of Heaven Light Ministry International, was found guilty of providing false information for the fraudulent claims. He received a suspended 15-month sentence.
Eleanor Handslip, Assistant Director at HMRC’s Fraud Investigation Service, condemned the trio, stating, “They presented themselves as upstanding, charitable individuals but were ultimately criminals abusing their positions for personal gain.”
The sentencing took place at Snaresbrook Crown Court on December 2, where Duodu, Asare, and Quansah were held accountable for their actions.
