Aseeb Younis Stole Almost Half A Million Pounds From Halifax
A “trusted employee” turned “dodgy banker” at a Birmingham branch of Halifax bank as part of a £450,000 fraud.
Aseeb Younis, of St Oswalds Road, Small Heath, took advantage of his reputation at the branch based in Acocks Green to steal large sums of money, targeting the account of a dead customer to aid him in his fraudulent activities.
The 25-year-old, who initially denied a charge of conspiracy to defraud but later pleaded guilty, amassed substantial sums of money by applying fraudulent interest to customer accounts, Birmingham Crown Court heard.
He also abused the banking system to allow some accounts access to temporary limitless spending by allowing to become overdrawn.
Courts heard how Aseeb targeted the account of a Brian Mason, who had an additional two accounts opened in his name a few weeks after his dead in December 2012.
Jonathan Barker, prosecuting, said: “He had access to the computerised banking system at the Halifax.
“This would allow him to access accounts of customers.
“He was a trusted employee.
“He was trusted to act in the Halifax’s best interests and, indeed, in the best interests of Halifax customers but he didn’t.
“Between January and May 2013 he perpetrated a fraud against the Halifax bank and the sums involved were over £450,000.
“In recent years we have often heard and read of dodgy bankers.
“He is one.”
Courts also heard how Aseeb had allowed 17 accounts access to “temporary limitless spending” by permitting them to become “incredibly” overdrawn.
He said: “Who was spending the money remains unclear.
“It is likely he was working with others outside the bank.
“But there is no doubt he was central to the commission of this fraud because of his ability to operate inside the bank.”
He added: “The prosecution say he did it with his eyes wide open and his motivation was financial.”
Sentencing is set to take place on April 13.
