Fraud-charge Chasid faces extradition

A court has recommended the extradition of a member of the US-based strictly Orthodox Skverer community who fled to Britain to avoid multi-million dollar fraud charges.

On Tuesday, City of Westminster Magistrates’ Court cleared the way for Avrum David Friesel, 56, to stand trial in the US.

Home Secretary Jacqui Smith (who is due to be guest speaker at the Community Security Trust’s annual dinner in March) must now decide whether to rubber-stamp his extradition.

But Mr Friesel’s barrister, Jonathan Goldberg QC, said it could take up to a year to arrive at a final decision.

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ATM scam warning

Barnet Jews have been warned to be on their guard when using ATM machines in Hendon and Golders Green after a spate of card fraud incidents over the weekend.

Fraudsters fitted devices to a number of cash machines to trap cards and record PIN numbers which were then used to withdraw large amounts of cash.

Police have contacted synagogue groups as part of an awareness drive to urge residents to exercise particular care and, where possible, to use familiar cash machines so that any attached devices are more visibly obvious.

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Fraudsters ordered to hand over assets

A Manchester man jailed for six years for involvement in a large-scale “advance fee” business fraud has been ordered to hand over £425,000.

Following a two-day confiscation hearing at Liverpool Crown Court, it was agreed that Carl Montlake had benefited by £1.5 million from the scam.

It was also agreed that he has realiseable assets of £425,000 and Judge Gerald Clifton ordered that, if this sum is not paid over under the Proceeds of Crime Act, by January 31 next year, he will face an extra 42 months in prison.

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Analysis: It affects us, too

The more the news filters through from America as to the extent of the alleged Madoff swindle, the louder the sighs of unashamed relief from this side of the pond.

Phew, goes the thinking; thank heavens we're not affected. Thank goodness we haven’t entrusted our family foundation funds to the wily Mr Madoff, a man of such moral rectitude that even his own sons, poor dupes, refused to counter-sign his conditions of bail.

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Analysis: The Bernie Madoff lesson

The last year has been appalling for individuals and charities seeking to hang on to their hard-earned savings and precious endowments.
Sharply lower equity prices, collapsing residential and property values, shrinking pension and trust funds and falling interest rates (UK rates could well be down to near zero by spring 2009) have made it all but impossible for investors to keep their money intact.

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Dentist is struck off

Trevor Mann, former chairman of the British Dental Association, has been struck off for fraudulently claiming £51,000 expenses from the association.

Mr Mann, a non-practising dentist, is a member of Kingston and Surbiton District Synagogue.

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Warning: fraudster on loose

A warning has been issued to every minister in the United Synagogue to be on their guard in case a convicted conman turns up on their doorstep.

The warning was sent out a day after the man, 40-year-old Bradley Silver, was given a suspended prison sentence after he admitted three charges relating to forged cheques.

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