A niece altered bank documents in an attempt to fraudulently claim almost £58,000 from her late uncle’s estate.
Amanda Elam, 54, made a claim for £57,961.19, stating she was owed the money after she had deposited vast sums into a joint account with her uncle while he was alive.
She told relatives the joint account was opened in 2017 so she could assist her uncle in purchasing a bungalow. She added the uncle had opened the account with almost £130,000 from his pension fund and that she had paid in an additional funds to help him pay for renovation costs.
However, suspicions were raised that the extra money had also come from the uncle’s own accounts.
As such, following his death in September 2019, the executor of his estate refused to administer his will until the facts of the matter were known.
Nottinghamshire Police launched an investigation, with Elam providing officers with bank documents – namely emails and electronic letters – which she said proved the money had come from her own accounts.
However, when officers carried out checks with the banks, it emerged Elam had electronically altered the correspondence in order to corroborate her story.
Elam, of Thrumpton Lane, Retford, was charged after attending a voluntary police interview, during which she admitted her crimes.
She was jailed for 18 months, suspended for two years, at Nottingham Crown Court on Thursday (7 March) after pleading guilty to fraud by false representation and two counts of making or supply an article for use in fraud.
Elam must also carry out 260 hours of unpaid work within 12 months.
Following the sentencing, Detective Constable Akil Kapasi, of Nottinghamshire Police’s Economic Crime Unit, said:
“Elam was trusted by her uncle but clearly acted for her own interests after he passed away.
“Naturally, this has been a very upsetting case for the wider family, causing them immense stress and preventing the distribution of the uncle’s estate.
“The family have waited over three years for this day so I welcome the conclusion of the court proceedings.
“I hope Elam now reflects on her actions and the huge emotional impact it’s had on other family members.
“This case is a reminder that Nottinghamshire Police takes fraud and financial abuse extremely seriously and will take robust action against those who commit such offences.”
• Read more: Person hit by train on Nottingham – London St Pancras line
