Criminals fail to pay back £4m proceeds

Published on 18/12/2012 12:00

SCOTLAND’S richest criminals have failed to pay almost £4 million seized under dirty money laws.

A total of £3,805,741 of proceeds of crime cash was outstanding as of November, with more than £2m owed by just ten individuals.

Earlier this month it was revealed that more than £50m had been seized from criminals under the Proceeds of Crime Act and diverted into youth projects in the past five years.

However, many of those subject to the confiscation orders still owe money years after facing the courts and being ordered to repay monies earned through crime.

As of last month, fraudster Anthony Kearney had the largest amount outstanding at £898,441.

Kearney, 47, and his girlfriend fled to Spain after being charged with claiming benefits while they had more than £330,000 in offshore accounts.