Avon and Somerset Police has secured a confiscation order of more than £4.1 million against a convicted fraudster, following a Proceeds of Crime Act hearing at court.
Police said the order totals £4,140,428.59, with over £220,000 set to be returned directly to victims. The remaining money will be split between the Treasury, the courts system, and local policing through national asset recovery arrangements.
The force said the case followed a complex investigation into fraud offences that caused significant financial harm. Confiscation orders are used to strip offenders of the benefit gained from criminal activity, even after a prison sentence has been handed down.
A spokesperson for Avon and Somerset Police said the result showed that crime “does not pay”, adding that financial recovery is an important part of delivering justice for victims as well as deterring future offending.
Under the Proceeds of Crime Act, police and prosecutors can pursue offenders’ assets years after conviction if criminal benefit is identified. If the individual fails to pay the ordered amount, they can face additional prison time.
While such cases often receive less attention than sentencing hearings, police say asset recovery plays a key role in tackling serious and organised crime by disrupting finances and returning money to those affected.
