Bank Identity Conman Caught Again

A serial bank fraudster succcessfully posed as a customer to empty the man's account of £25,000 in just two weeks while on bail for an identical offence.

Mark Havis, 49, of Elgin Road, Ilford doctored a driving licence and forged bank statements and bank cards, but was caught trying to withdraw another £1500.

He pleaded guilty to fraud by false representation at Santander, Woodcote Road, Wallington; possession of identity documents with intent and possession of articles for use in fraud on December 18, last year.

Havis, who has commited seventy-six previous offences, was on bail for another £22,000 bank fraud at the time and later received fiften months imprisonment at Harrow Crown Court, which he has served.

Prosecutor Miss Shazia Ahmed told Croydon Crown Court today: “He walked into Santander and produced a driving licence in another man's name, but which bore his photograph.

“Havis was also in possession of three false bank statements and a number of false bank cards and a member of staff was alerted to something not being quite right.”

A senior member of staff, who knew the customer Havis was posing as, recognised the defendant as an imposter and called the police.

Havis's attempt to withdraw £1500 cash failed and investigations revealed in the previous two weeks he had taken £25,000 from the account.

The Recorder of Croydon Warwick McKinnon decided not to imprison Havis because of the recent sentence he has served and placed him on a twelve month probation supervision order.

“You were going along to this bank with false documents and obtained twenty-five thousand pounds and you were doing the same thing last July.

“You have a quite dreadful record and you need to come away from this chronic pattern of crime,” the judge told Havis.