Further remand for bank fraud duo

Two men charged with allegedly forging bills and letters of employment to deceive banks in opening an account have been remanded on continuing bail to appear in court again next month.

At Galway District Court on Monday Payman Afzal (26) with an address at 26 Castan, Doughiska, Oranmore, appeared before Judge Mary Fahy charged with using a false Electrical Ireland bill with intent to induce another to accept as genuine and without lawful authority being in possession of a false Electrical Ireland bill at Bank of Ireland, Mervue Industrial Estate on March 20, 2012.

He was further charged with one count of using a false Electrical Ireland bill with intent to induce another to accept as genuine, without lawful authority being in possession of a false Electrical Ireland bill, and using a letter of employment on Supermac’s headed paper which was false with the intention to induce another into accepting it as genuine, and being in possession of that letter without lawful authority, at AIB, Tuam, Road, on the same date.

Also before the court was co-accused Shamas Ashraf (34) of the same address who is charged with two counts of making a false letter of employment on Supermac’s headed paper, each letter stating that he and Payman Afzal were employed there, with the intention of inducing another to accept it as genuine on March 20 or dates thereabout at his place of residence.

Inspector Brendan Carroll told the court that the DPP has directed summary disposal in the case of both defendants. He said that it is alleged the two men entered the financial institutions with the false documents to open an account.

Judge Fahy accepted jurisdiction and remanded both men on continuing bail to November 15 for election.