TWO men were allegedly part of a plot to set up bogus businesses and disappear, "ripping off" unsuspecting suppliers to the tune of "many, many thousands of pounds."

Burnley Crown Court heard how Syed Annayet Hussain, 24, and Syed Asif Hussain Shah, 28, agreed with four other people to trick firms and credit organisations.

Hussain, of Harcourt Road, Blackburn, and Shah, of Leyland Road, Burnley, deny conspiring with four others and with persons unknown to defraud the creditors and potential creditors of A H Trading, Shonn Trading, Technolink, Galabarn Ltd, Director Electronics and Debbington Ltd, between July 1, 1996, and October 31, 1998. They also deny conspiring to defraud the potential creditors of Debbington Ltd, between January 1, 1998 and October 31, 1998.

Hussain also denies conspiring with three others to defraud the creditors and potential creditors of A H Trading, Shonn Trading, Technolink and Galabarn Ltd, between July 1, 1996 and July 31, 1998.

Charles Chruszcz, QC, prosecuting, said the defendants were two of six people who conspired to defraud suppliers out of valuable computer parts and equipment worth "many, many thousands of pounds." They did not all work together at any one period of time.

The six wanted to trick businesses and credit organisations into believing they were credit worthy, legitimate businesses, honest and above board. Bogus businesses would be set up and premises rented, using a name which could not immediately be referrable. A minion, such as a youngster on a job training scheme would be taken on and paid a pittance. Suppliers, thinking they were dealing with honest firms sent out the goods, which would then go in the front door and out the back, to be disposed of unlawfully by other outlets.

(Proceeding)

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