Ex-Launderer Shafiq Ahmed Locked Up Again for SCPO Breach
Shafiq Ahmed, 59, from Streatham, South London, has been slapped with a one-year prison sentence for breaking the rules of his Serious Crime Prevention Order (SCPO). The crackdown came at Kingston Crown Court today (3 November), along with the seizure of his phone and two SIM cards. A tougher SCPO with tighter restrictions was also slapped on him.
From Money Laundry Boss to Prisoner
Back in June 2013, Ahmed was jailed for running a massive criminal network that laundered millions from Tooting. The National Crime Agency (NCA) cracked down hard, landing him an eight-year stretch at Blackfriars Crown Court.
He served just half and walked free on licence in July 2017. But in October 2014, he was hit with a confiscation order demanding he fork over a whopping £829,427 in ill-gotten gains.
SCPO Restrictions Ignored
The Serious Crime Prevention Order was meant to keep Ahmed from diving back into crime. It limited his access to bank accounts, cash, phones, and computers. It also forced him to inform the NCA about any business deals and hand over details of his homes and offices.
Instead, Ahmed flouted the rules. He failed to declare several assets, including over 15 bank accounts (two opened after his release), four properties, and stakes in multiple companies. His home was raided on 5 August, yielding a phone, SIM cards, nearly £1,000 cash, and loads of undisclosed documents.
Ahmed Shows No Remorse
When confronted, Ahmed tried to pass the blame onto his daughter, claiming the phones and house keys weren’t his. He continued denying his role in the original laundering crime – despite the clear evidence that money laundering feeds serious organised crime.
Alison Abbott from the NCA’s lifetime management unit blasted Ahmed’s antics:
“Money laundering drives serious and organised crime, and the seriousness of Shah’s offending made it vital that he was subject to a Serious Crime Prevention Order when leaving prison. Shah tried to pull the wool over our eyes, and repeatedly claimed he did not have any formal employment or source of income… We will use all the tools available to us, like SCPOs, to disrupt serious and organised crime.”
What Is a Serious Crime Prevention Order?
SCPOs are civil orders designed to stop hardened criminals from continuing illegal careers after serving time. They impose strict limits on offenders’ activities and assets to prevent further involvement in serious crime.
Ahmed’s latest conviction shows the NCA is serious about enforcing these orders and keeping crime bosses in check.
