A prisoner was released from HMP Chelmsford after staff were deceived by a bold fake email scam.
Junaed Ahmed, 36, masterminded the scheme while awaiting sentencing for fraud and remained at large for 43 hours before being found hiding in his loft. The emails, designed to appear as if sent from the Royal Courts of Justice, used a .org address rather than the official .gov domain. Prosecutor Jerry Hayes told Chelmsford Crown Court that the emails “weren’t a very good forgery,” but staff were nonetheless tricked.
The plot, dating back to 2023, involved additional fake documents attempting to secure the release of two other prisoners: Charlie Whittaker, 28, of Harwich, Essex, and Adam Mohamed, 29, of Southwark, London. Staff realized the documents were forged, uncovering Ahmed’s deception.
Judge Mary Loram described Ahmed as the “prime mover” behind the plot, calling it “a well-planned, sophisticated scheme” that “undermines public trust in the criminal justice system.” Ahmed refused to attend court and was jailed in his absence.
Sentences for co-conspirators included:
Junaed Ahmed: 3 years 3 months
Nazash Akhtar (wife): 2 years, suspended for 2 years
Aaryan Noor Ali, 20: 2 years 2 months
Charlotte Whittaker: 12 months, suspended 18 months
Adam Mohamed: 12 months, suspended 18 months
Charlie Whittaker: sentencing scheduled for Dec. 16
Detective Chief Inspector Rob Huddleston, leading the investigation, said: “The operation, organised and led by Ahmed and Akhtar, was a sophisticated scheme to free three prisoners. The plan quickly unraveled, and all involved were apprehended. The investigation was complex, but thorough, making it impossible for the defendants to deny their involvement.”
The case highlights the risks of fraudulent communications and the need for vigilance within the justice system.
