A former Scottish council leader, Andrew Polson, has denied allegations of a massive £188,000 romance scam. The 52-year-old politician allegedly defrauded Ann Kelly through a supposed property investment scheme spanning from May 2021 to March 2022.
Polson, who previously led East Dunbartonshire Council, now serves as an independent after being suspended by the Scottish Conservatives in June 2022. The case has raised serious concerns over financial misconduct and personal betrayal. The court has scheduled a 15-day trial for September, with preliminary hearings set for April and June. Polson remains free on bail as legal proceedings unfold.
Property Investment
Court documents claim Polson misled Kelly into a business partnership under the guise of creating a property management company, AA Lettings. He allegedly convinced her that the firm would handle leasing, maintenance, and renovation of properties.
Polson purportedly opened a bank account for the company and assured Kelly that they would jointly purchase a property in Bellshill. She contributed £40,500, expecting shared ownership, but the joint title was never secured.
To further his deception, Polson allegedly promised Kelly a £500 monthly rental income, which she never received. Instead, she was reportedly charged an additional £200 per month for property expenses that provided no actual benefit.
Fraudulent Transactions
In a separate scheme, Polson allegedly persuaded Kelly to invest £146,000 into another property in Bearsden. Similar to the Bellshill deal, she was promised rental income that never materialised. The charges against Polson extend beyond property fraud. Prosecutors claim he falsified a loan application in Kelly’s name to secure £25,000 from MBNA in Birmingham.
He also attempted to obtain £20,000 from M&S Bank by impersonating her. Additionally, Polson allegedly withdrew £1,500 from the Bank of Scotland, again using Kelly’s identity. He also faces accusations of stealing her bank card on two occasions.
Embezzlement and Misconduct
The scandal deepens with claims that Polson embezzled £90,143 between January 2019 and August 2022 while managing Revival FM and Revival Radio in Cumbernauld. As director of the now-liquidated company, he reportedly misused funds for personal expenses, unauthorised transfers, and gambling.
Investigators allege that Revival FM’s bank account was exploited to transfer money to Aileen Suttie and Faith McCrea, individuals unrelated to the business. Further accusations state that company funds were used for political leafleting, travel, and entertainment. Polson is also accused of creating fake invoices and fraudulently obtaining £5,000 and £6,000 under false names. Another charge states he impersonated Kelly to transfer £3,000 to Revival’s bank account.
A Cautionary Tale
This case underscores the risks of romance scams, where trust is manipulated for financial gain. Victims, often unsuspecting individuals, are lured into fraudulent schemes under the pretence of love or partnership. Authorities continue to warn against such scams, urging individuals to remain vigilant and verify financial dealings, especially in personal relationships. As Polson’s trial approaches, many will be watching to see if justice is served in this high-profile case of alleged deception and fraud.
This was a very different type of romance scam than we usually see, but the main elements remain the same. The victim, in this case, wasn’t coerced over the internet as is often the case. Instead, the scam involved an elaborate property investment scheme, adding another layer of deception. Fraudsters are constantly evolving, finding new ways to exploit trust and financial vulnerability. This case demonstrates that romance scams are no longer confined to online manipulation but can occur in seemingly legitimate business dealings. The inclusion of a bogus property firm and falsified financial transactions highlights the need for continued vigilance.
