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Criminal who laundered money for romance scammers jailed

Source: Crown Prosecution Service (CPR) published on this website Thursday 26 June 2023 by Jill Powell

A man who laundered more than a million pounds gained from a sophisticated romance fraud operation that devastated vulnerable victims has been jailed. 

Ahmed Ali Suleman, 63, was prosecuted by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) following an investigation by the National Crime Agency (NCA).

Between January 2015 and November 2017, the defendant exploited his position within the textile industry to launder money for international fraudsters.

He was found guilty of entering into a money laundering arrangement and false accounting following a trial at Birmingham Crown Court on 24 April 2025.

On Monday 23 June, he was sentenced to four years and three months' imprisonment.

Tarryn McCaffrey, Specialist Prosecutor for the CPS, said:

 “Through this money laundering operation, Suleman provided a financial lifeline to romance fraudsters who preyed on vulnerable individuals.

“Money launderers are the enablers who make crime profitable and sustainable for these criminal networks. Suleman wasn’t just moving money – he was facilitating the continued exploitation of vulnerable people, causing devastating emotional and financial harm.

"The Crown Prosecution Service worked closely with the National Crime Agency build a strong case and bring him to justice. We will be pursuing confiscation proceedings against the defendant to remove any available criminal benefits gained from this enterprise.”