The Metropolitan Police issued the following news release:
Graham Broomfield, 54 (5.01.65) of Tye Green Village, Harlow was sentenced to five years’ imprisonment at Snaresbrook Crown Court on Friday, 20 September.
He had previously pleaded guilty to fraud by abuse of position.
Detective Sergeant Gemma Cole, from the Specialist Crime Command, said: “Broomfield’s crimes were particularly contemptible as he held a position within a charity. He used his role to gain the trust of some of London’s most vulnerable members of the community.
“During the investigation, which was led by the North East Economic Crime Hub, we were able to work collaboratively with outside agencies including the local council to bring him to justice, resulting in this custodial sentence.
“We will continue to work on a Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA) financial investigation in an attempt to retrieve his ill-gained assets.”
Broomfield worked as an IT contractor for a charity before being taken on as a ‘Direct Payments’ worker which allowed him access to funds that were meant for vulnerable people to live on.
Officers established that he fraudulently obtained £550,744.78 from at least 95 disabled, or at risk, client accounts over a period of several years. The money was traced to a bank where Broomfield held his personal account.
He was arrested by officers on 11 April 2018; he was charged via postal requisition on Wednesday, 19 June.
Anyone can find themselves the victim of fraud. If you suspect you may have been scammed or involved in fraudulent activity, or have information about a possible fraudster, find out who to via our website: https://www.met.police.uk/ro/report/fo/fraud/.