Jail for �400,000 bank fraud man

Everyone who was affected had their money refunded

A businessman who stole almost �400,000 from bank accounts has been jailed for four years.

To disguise his fraud, Russian, Volodymyr Petruk, 46, posed as a recruitment agent in Fraserburgh and stole from thousands of accounts.

None of the money was recovered, but everyone who was affected was refunded by their bank.

Petruk was found guilty at Aberdeen Sheriff Court. Immigration papers have been served on him.

Sheriff Alexander Jessop said it was "an extremely well-planned fraud involving many people".

Petruk was also caught with a fake Latvian passport.

He said during evidence it was normal for people from the Ukraine and Belarus to have several fake passports.

As well as jailing him for four years, the sheriff recommended Petruk be deported.