AN INVERKEITHING removals firm lost £12,000 in a phone scam and one of those involved in the crime has now been jailed.

Graham Fletcher, 39, of Belsyde Avenue, Drumchapel, Glasgow, appeared in the dock at Dunfermline Sheriff Court.

He admitted that on April 16, 2018, at Flemings Removals, Belleknowes, Inverkeithing, he acquired criminal property, namely £12,000 which was transferred into a bank account in his name.

Depute fiscal Azrah Yousaf said that at 2.30pm, the firm received a phone call from someone claiming to be from the Clydesdale Bank fraud department.

Following the call, £12,000 was transferred from the company into an account later found to be that of Fletcher.

The depute added that it was accepted that Fletcher had received a fee for allowing his account to be used in the crime.

Defence solicitor Alexander Flett said: “He did benefit financially from the arrangement. At the time, his situation was not good. His marriage was coming to an end and he had lost his employment.

“That doesn’t excuse his actions but he was prevailed upon to act in this manner.”

Sheriff Charles Macnair asked why Fletcher had not helped the police track down those behind the fraud.

“He’s too apprehensive about the consequences for his family if he says where the money has gone,” replied Mr Flett.

Sheriff Macnair told Fletcher: “The underlying offence of fraud committed by others here is one which is unfortunately all too common.

“They couldn’t succeed in their criminal trade if they didn’t have accounts into which the money can be placed.

“They’re certainly not going to use their own accounts. They use accounts of people like yourself.

“Being remorseful and not assisting in the recovery of the money do not sit well together.”

The sheriff jailed Fletcher for seven months.