A BRADFORD fraudster who scammed a bank of more than £30,000 has been ordered to repay the money or face being locked up.

Mohammed Navid Ramzan, 28, of Northdale Road, Frizinghall, was convicted of conspiracy to defraud Lloyds Bank, where he was previously an employee at the time of the offence in 2013, in March this year.

Ramzan was handed a two year prison sentence, suspended for two years, and at a confiscation hearing last week was ordered to repay £33,911.77 to the bank by Judge Colin Burn in a hearing at Bradford Crown Court.

An investigation by the Bradford District Proceeds of Crime team found he had these assets, and he now has three months to repay the full amount, or he will be jailed for 12 months.

Detective Sergeant Karen Milner, of the Bradford District Proceeds of Crime Team, said: “This should serve as a warning to those who think they can benefit financially from a criminal lifestyle.

“Ramzan probably thought he had finished with the courts after his sentencing earlier this year, but the Proceeds of Crime Act legislation allows us to investigate the financial matters of criminals and establish what assets they have so Judges making these orders can take into account to what extent the individual has benefited.

“If you suspect someone may be living a similar lifestyle then you can report them by calling the police on 101, or using the live chat facility on the West Yorkshire Police website. Information can also be reported anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555111."

Mark Burns-Williamson, West Yorkshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner, added: “It is yet another example of the significant sums of money which are being recovered thanks to the proactive efforts of Bradford’s Proceeds of Crime Team and prosecutors."